Read Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
For 42 years I had the privilege of serving as a pastor. I officiated at many funerals and ministered to many people going through trying and tragic situations. Often I heard well-meaning people make statements that made me cringe. One such statement was “God will never give you more than you can handle.”
In my experience, we do go through trials that are more than we can bear. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul wrote, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength.” But we often overlook the second half of that verse: “but with testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” We may experience trials that are too much for us to handle on our own, but with God’s help we can endure them.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30, NIV). Jesus is speaking to those of us who are carrying burdens much too heavy to shoulder alone. And in those few words he reveals that when we experience such burdens we can trust God enough to hand them over to our Creator. Nothing is too heavy for God to carry.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to release our concerns, burdens, and needs into your care. Amen.
Thought for the day: With God’s help I can endure my trials.
Thomas Broadhead, Texas
