My Anxious Load

I woke up this morning feeling discouraged and depressed. I've been down that road so many times and I just don't want to go there anymore. I prayed and it seemed like I was not getting anywhere. Why did I feel so overwhelmed? I started making a list of things that were on my mind. As I wrote, I recognized that these were things I had been hoping and praying and thinking about--and trying to figure out--for a long time. They were righteous desires, but mostly out-of-my-control. They were taking so much of my time and attention. I felt lost and couldn't move forward. I knew I had to let them go. They were paralyzing me and shutting me down. This phrase came to my mind--



It helped when I realized I didn't have to give up my hopes and dreams--I could give it all to God and He would take care of it. Just like a little girl asks her parents to hold all her stuff and goes off to play and explore. God wanted me to be free to try new ideas and see all the possibilities. It was remarkable how fast I began to feel better. I felt lighter! It was like I was setting down a heavy burden. I actually opened my hands and tried to visualize letting these things go.

I felt relieved, but hesitant. Was it really okay to let these things go? Then Heavenly Father answered my prayers, as He so often does, by bringing the words of a hymn to my mind--

"I'll drop my burden at His feet and bear a song away."

Yes! God will give us a song when we give Him our burdens! Isn't that a great exchange?

This is the song He gave me--

How Gentle God's Commands by Philip Doddridge, 1702-1751

How gentle God's commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord
And trust his constant care.

Beneath his watchful eye,
His Saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard his children well.

Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heavenly Father's throne
And sweet refreshment find.

His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I'll drop my burden at his feet
And bear a song away.