How to Respond When Your Heart Is Heavily Burdened
As I lay there awake with the rustling of the wind outside and the rumbling sounds of thunder in the distance, I realized the true storm was the one inside my heart and mind. I cannot say why this restlessness of the soul; yet, there it was. So, finally I get up and head to my chair of prayer. I got out my Bible. Its pages are worn and have writings scribbled through the margins. Most of those scribbling written during moments just like this one. I reached out for my prayer journal to pray for family, friends, work, the nation and myself. Each page listed with scriptures to pray—a strategic battle plan against Satan’s attack. Yet, the only words that came from my lips were “Lord, I need you now.”
SEASONS OF JOY AND SEASONS OF SORROWS COME TO ALL
This journey of life leads us through many seasons. Sometimes those seasons are filled with great joy, moments of strength, and wondrous answers to prayer. It would seem that we are floating on mountaintops high above all the trials and tribulations. Then there are those moments when our hearts are heavily burdened with great care and pain; although, nothing in particular has changed. After all, God is still on His throne. The truth of His promises have not changed. Yet, a heavy heart of despair leaves us wondering what is wrong. Sometimes, there is nothing to pinpoint as the triggering factor. No major catastrophe that has occurred. We feel a sense of loneliness as though we have lost our best friend. [bctt tweet=”When discouragement, loneliness, and despair creep into our hearts, our only hope is to seek God.”]
THE HEART OF A POET
Much like David, I at times feel the weight of my own frailties and failures. Striving always to seek God with all my heart and realizing that my own human desires get in the way too often. There are those moments when I must just sit silent, drinking in God’s Grace and then exhale. Like the new song by Plumb. When those seasons of heaviness occur, I must remember that it is not a sign of my failure of faith; because, even my faith is a gift from God that I must never take for granted or boast in. Sometimes, my heaviness is an empathetic call to prayer for someone else; even though I may not know who or what—yet, the Spirit knows and intercedes. “26 In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of[c]God’s people in accordance with God’s will” (Romans 8 AMP).
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR HEART IS RESTLESS?
1. Sit silently before God, alone. When was the last time you spent the night in prayer? God has promised that He is there. “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity” Jeremiah 29 (NIV)
2. Remember that Jesus is the Word of God, the Gospel, and the Good News. My life must become less about me and more about Him. “30 Jesus must become more important, while I become less important.31 God’s Son comes from heaven and is above all others. Everyone who comes from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all others. 32 He speaks about what he has seen and heard, and yet no one believes him.33 But everyone who does believe him has shown that God is truthful. 34 The Son was sent to speak God’s message, and he has been given the full power of God’s Spirit.35 The Father loves the Son and has given him everything” (John 3 CEV).
3. Trust that God will finish the work He started in me—so just exhale. “6 I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]” (Philippians 1 AMP).
4. Never forget that even faith is a gift that should not be taken for granted, nor should it be a reason for boasting. “2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrew 12). [bctt tweet=”Jesus is the author and the finisher of my faith. I AM NOT.”]
So, what heartache, trial, or storm are you facing today? Know this, you do not need to walk it alone. Come to God, sit in His presence and let Him wrap His loving arms around you. You are safe in your heavenly Father’s arms. It doesn’t matter that you don’t know what to say. There your tears can flow freely upon His chest. He will hear you and will calm the storms in your heart. What do you do when your heart is heavy? Click here to tell me how you handle those seasons of sorrow.
The song I chose for you today is: Exhale
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. To obtain your own portrait, logo, or art design please contact Ronald Barba at the email below. If you can dream it, he can draw or design it for you. Do you want to surprise someone with an extraordinary special gift of a personal portrait? An idea for a book cover? Or a new logo? Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
Original Photo used was downloaded from unsplash.com (public domain photos)
Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
Contemporary English Version (CEV) Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 byBiblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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