Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] (AMP)

I've noticed in recent years that many kids are carrying backpacks to school, which look like they are a real burden to them. Some of them look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, as they trudge along the street. Interestingly enough, doctors are seeing back problems, particularly in young children, which normally don't appear until later adulthood. They attribute these symptoms to the weight of the backpacks on the spines of young children.

I believe that many of us carry spiritual and/or emotional backpacks in our lives, that weigh us down and prevent us from growing in our walk with the Lord. Furthermore, medical studies have even shown that if we have pent-up anger, bitterness, or lack of forgiveness in our lives, they can harm our physical and/or emotional health.

Are we carrying a backpack full of stuff undealt with?

If we are, Jesus will relieve us through confession and help us to deal with things from our past, which are continuing to weigh us down.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

It is often said that confession is good for the soul. It's amazing what happens to our souls when we ask for forgiveness of someone or God Himself. It feels like a great weight is taken off our back, like those children must experience when they get to school and take off their backpacks.

Unloading our backpack of cares and sins is just what God wants us to do. Then we can sing the lines of that song, "Cast all your cares on Him for he careth for you. He is our peace; He is our peace."

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, that we can unload the sins and the cares of our lives for You to discard. Pour out Your grace, O God, to help us release the burdens, and give us that lightness of soul and the peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Allan Smith <agwsmith6@gmail.com>
Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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