I recently received a gift from a girl friend of over 50 years.  It was a coffee cup with these words written on it. “Good morning, Patty. I’ll be handling all your problems today”.

The cup was a wonderful gift and while I was using it for the first time, it got me thinking about my life.  I am often guilty of thinking I can take care of everything and solve all my own problems and sometimes, everyone else’s too.  It’s one of the perks (NOT) of having a Type A personality.  You think you should (and can) do it all.  This is obviously not true as I have learned through the years.  The weight of taking on all the responsibility can wear you down needlessly.

It reminds me of Carrie Underwood’s song, “Jesus, Take the Wheel”. In this song the singer is driving along a road in the winter time with her baby in the back seat and hits an icy spot on the road. As the car is sliding out of control, she sings these words: Jesus, take the wheel, take it from my hands, “Cause I can’t do this on my own.  I’m letting go. So give me one more chance and save me from this road I’m on.

The background of the song is about an impending car accident, but in actuality it is about giving our burdens to Jesus. He longs to carry our problems. We were never meant to carry them alone. He is strong and able to carry our burdens, each and every one of them. How do we know this?  By his unconditional love for us, He took on every sin at the cross. If He can take the sins of the world on His shoulders, then He can take on our worries.

In Matthew 11:28 these words give us that promise. “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Give your burdens to Him each day.  The small ones and the ones that threaten to overtake you. Then trust that when you give Him your heavy loads, He will give you peace and rest. This is a work in progress for me, but by letting Jesus take the wheel, it is not only possible but promised to us.  Thanks be to God.

Patty