Ever since Sin entered the world, life has become a burden to humanity. It is a fact we will always struggle with in one way or another, no matter what our economic, social, ethnic, or religious background and status.
I believe that a proper understanding of this truth is most crucial to God’s professed people, lest we accept and preach a perverted Gospel Message centered mainly on material prosperity and easy living. This false message proclaims the notion that once we decide to follow Christ then he will remove all of life’s burdens from us.
However, this is simply not true, because we see in the Bible, and even in our day, examples of Godly saints who have faced, and still face, sore trials and afflictions: wasting diseases, financial problems, broken marriages, wayward children, rejection of family, emotional and psychological struggles from childhood abuse and trauma, material loss, persecution, and the list could go on. This confirms what Jesus said, “In this world you will face trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” (We do well to remember, The Bible, especially the New Testament, was written by struggling and persecuted people to edify, strengthen, and confirm the faith of fellow struggling and persecuted brothers and sisters!)
Now with this in mind, we can more objectively comprehend what God has promised to those who choose to become disciples of Jesus Christ. Here is what we have a right to expect: He will remove the burden of eternal condemnation and the guilty weight of sin. He will suffuse us with the power to live in continual victory over sins. He will fill us with a peace beyond human understanding even throughout the darkest nights of the soul. He will infuse us with an indescribable and glorious joy. He will provide hope when there is seemingly no reason for hope. He will preserve us securely in his everlasting love. He will not forsake us, no matter how intense the struggle!
While these promises of our salvation will not take all our human troubles away, they will make the burdens of life easier to bear. This is what Jesus meant when he said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” I do not know about you, but I would rather bear the yoke of Jesus around my neck, although with a little discomfort, than to carry the oppressive and crushing weight of the world on my shoulders alone.
In summary, both the ungodly and the godly experience pressing burdens in life. Yet, there is a marked difference between these two classes of people. To the ungodly, the burdens of life are regarded as set-backs, hindering their personal earthly pursuits. The child of God, on the other hand, views them with pleasure as divine set-ups, preparing him or her for a greater usefulness in promoting the Kingdom of Heaven!
-Alfredo Mullet-
