I’m amazed at the variety of emotions with which I wake up. Some mornings I feel great. Other mornings, a lot of mornings, I feel heavy – heavy in my heart, and at times negative in my thoughts. What I do with those first thoughts and emotions has a dramatic effect on the rest of the day. I’ve found there’s one needed response:
Bring them to Jesus.
Bringing my thoughts to Jesus looks different depending on the day. Often it starts with just calling out His name: “Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.” Sometimes that’s all I’ve got to give, but I’m realizing and experiencing the power of it. First, it gets me out of me and helps me focus on Him. This leads to:
…inviting Him to help me process what I was never created to understand on my own.
…giving to Him what I wasn’t made to carry on my own.
It’s the most amazing way you and I can start each day. The feeling of heaviness is just a reminder that we need it. Once I do this, I find a new thought pattern develops in my mind. It begins with a thankfulness for Jesus — for who He is and who He offers to be for me. Thankfulness often leads to worship, and worship leads to dependence on Jesus, the very way we were created to live each day. The invitation has always been here:
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest [I will ease and receive and refresh your souls]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me” (Matthew 11:28-29a NIV and AMP).
It’s followed by another invitation in 1 Peter 5:7:
“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
Do you need to take these Scriptures and make them an ongoing practice in your life? I do!
Sometimes I find it helpful to make a list of everything weighing on my heart. On the morning I wrote this post, I listed seven items. The list ranged from tasks on my “to do” list to circumstances over which I have no control. I gave them all to God. As I looked over the list I sensed Him saying: “You weren’t made to carry this weight. But I was.”
The relief I felt was tangible. Then I asked Him: “What do I do now?” His answer came in the very next verse (Side bar: God still speaks, doing so most often through His Word.):
“Be self-controlled and alert” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV).
“Be well-balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times” (1 Peter 5:8 AMP).
I sensed God saying that since I’d given it all to Him, He would now share back with me the things that are of Him. Together we’d work through them as I exercised the self-control and discipline He’d made available to me, a discipline that allows me / you to focus on and receive from Him.
What about you? Are you weary? Do you wake up heavy, overwhelmed or anxious? Are you filled with anxiety? Here’s my bottom line question: Are you weary enough to give what’s wearing you out to God? I implore you — give it to Him NOW. No matter what time of day it is, call out to Him, invite Him in and acknowledge that you need Him. Cast all your anxieties, worries and concerns on Him. Give Him the list!
Then, walk through the rest of the day with Him. Set your mind on Him — on who He is and who He longs to be for you — your strength, your wisdom, your ability to love and live in right relationship with Him and people. Listen for Him and follow His lead. Do it and keep doing it, walking by faith until the feelings come.
I’ve not posted on this blog in almost three weeks. I’ve started several posts and yet I couldn’t seem to finish even one of them. Writing a post was in my list of seven things I gave to God. I gave Him the desire and the pressure I was putting on myself. I knew if God was calling me to write, He would enable me to do it. If not, it was a “weight” I wasn’t supposed to carry in the first place.
My journey in this was the message He had for you.
These posts might encourage you as well:
https://judybmills.comthe-way-of-rest-2/
https://judybmills.comhonest-conversations/
https://judybmills.comnew-heart-new-life/
Thank you Judy for sharing God’s words with me. Really needed it this morning. God Bless you and yours.
Right there with you — I wrote it out of my great need! Blessings to you!!!
Judy- found you through Hopewriters! Love this post. Know the heavy feeling in the morning. Thank you for pointing to Jesus.
Blessings!
Leah, thank you for reading! I’m so glad you were encouraged. I’ve been thinking since posting of the blessing emotions we’d rather not have can be when they turn us toward Jesus.
I’m excited to check out your site!