Lately, I seem to be feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Now, we are told to “bear one another’s burdens”, and I have a lot of friends going through some very hard things. So that could possibly account for my feeling this way. But I think the weight that I am carrying around with me is unnecessary weight, weight that I needlessly keep hanging onto, when in truth, I don’t have to carry around all the things that I do. My Heavenly Father didn’t intend for me to constantly struggle under the weight of all the things I carry with me.

Ultimately, it’s my choice what I choose to lug around with me everywhere I go. Perhaps it’s time I dared to let go of that which weighs me down on my life’s journey. My Creator God invites me to do just that – let go of what I cling to so tightly and receive instead what He wants to give me. In fact, Jesus said this to the people He was with and it’s His gracious invitation to me and to you – His invitation to every single person, an invitation that still stands today. It is an open invitation.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

That’s definitely what I need – a load that is lighter than the one I currently carry through this life. I long to be set free from the load of lies that are keeping me captive. And fortunately for me, God has the antidote that I so desperately need – truth!

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

But what is truth?

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” (John 14:6)

“After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.’ ” (John 17:1 & 17)

God’s word is truth! And truth is the antidote to all that ails me. I am definitely weighed down by my sin BUT – God’s truth in Isaiah tells me this about God’s mercy and forgiveness –

” ‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’ ” (Isaiah 1:18)

I too often find myself paralyzed by various fears BUT – the truth of God’s word tells me this –

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

I carry around the rejection I experience daily in this world, BUT – the Truth is, I am not rejected. I am chosen! (so are you)

“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?” (James 2:5)

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

“But now, this is what the Lord says – . . . ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.’ ” (Isaiah 43:1)

I needlessly carry around despair, while Truth is waiting to replace it with hope (which is much lighter)

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

I am living like a captive when the Truth is – I have already been set free.

“He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’ ” (John 8:34-36)

I am living like one who is condemned when the Truth is – I have already been pardoned!

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)

“as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:12-14)

I am living like I am unseen, unheard, unknown and unloved. Enter TRUTH. I am seen. I am heard. I am known. I am loved. And so are you, dear readers! the TRUTH is this –

I am seen – so are you

“My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:15-16)

I am heard – so are you

“But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.” (Psalm 55:16-17)

I am known – so are you

“O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord.” (Psalm 139:1-4)

I am loved – so are you

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

that’s the TRUTH!

and TRUTH is the antidote!

TRUTH is the antidote to whatever ails you – because fear, rejection, despair, bondage, condemnation, invisibility, feeling unloved – these all result from believing the lies of our enemy – instead allow the TRUTH of God’s Living Word to set you free today and everyday –

sincerely, Grace Day