BEARING OUR BURDENS

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Mark was overwhelmed with life. Whether it was relationships, work or his health, everything seemed like it was an uphill battle. He trusted that God was working in His life but he often struggled with having a positive attitude about all the trials he was facing. He felt like he was drowning. No matter how much he reached for something to hold onto to keep him afloat, it seemed like it was always out of his reach. He had brief moments, sometimes a day or two, that the storms of his life seemed to subside, but the dark clouds seemed always to appear again. He knew in the first chapter of James it said,

 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

 

It was a hard verse to make a part of his life. Mark wanted to become more mature in his faith in God. He knew according to James that sometimes trials were not only necessary and essential to growing in faith, but many times they were unavoidable if you were going to grow spiritually strong.

 

Mark knew God loved him and supported him through the hardships he faced. He just wished he could have a better attitude as he dealt with his problems. Work was often stressful, relationships were sometimes rocky and his poor health was not always easy to manage. In the midst of these trials he knew God was growing him and teaching him how to endure the hard lessons of life. Sometimes he wished there was a magic button that he could push to skip all the painful lessons. But he would continue to pray and seek courage from the Holy Spirit within him to help him lean on his God for advice, comfort, direction, strength and courage.

 

Mark shared his trials with a Christian friend and they prayed often with one another about each of their trials. He greatly appreciated this deep friendship and didn’t know what he would do without Christ ministering through his Christian brother. Their mutual encouragement and accountability was a great strength to Mark.

 

One day Mark stumbled into a used bookstore and found an old book of Puritan prayers. He thumbed through the book and his gaze fell upon one entitled, “Sovereign Commander of the Universe.” Curious he began reading the prayer written long ago.

 

“I am sadly harassed by doubts, fears, unbelief in a felt spiritual darkness.

 

My heart is full of evil surmisings and disquietude, and I cannot act faith at all.

 

My heavenly Pilot has disappeared, and I have lost my hold on the Rock of Ages; I sink in deep mire beneath storms and waves, in horror and distress unutterable.

 

Help me, O Lord to throw myself absolutely and wholly on thee, for better, for worse, without comfort, and all but hopeless.

 

Give me peace of soul, confidence, enlargement of mind, morning joy that comes after night heaviness; water my soul richly with divine blessings; grant that I may welcome thy humbling in private so that I might enjoy thee in public; give me a mountain top as high as the valley is low.

 

Thy grace can melt the worst sinner, and I am as vile as he; yet thou hast made me a monument of mercy, a trophy of redeeming power; in my distress let me not forget this.”

 

Mark paused in reading this heart-moving prayer. He thought how much it ministered to him, especially that last line, “in my distress let me not forget this.” He thought also of that line, “Help me, O Lord to throw myself absolutely and wholly on thee, for better, for worse.” He was amazed how the Holy Spirit was working through this old prayer in a used bookstore to minister to his heart. He continued reading.

 

“All-wise God, thy never-failing providence orders every event, sweetens every fear, reveals evil’s presence lurking in seeming good, brings real good out of seeming evil, makes unsatisfactory what I set my heart upon, to show me what a short-sighted creature I am, and to teach me to live by faith upon they blessed self.

 

Out of my sorrow and night, give me the name Naphtali – ‘satisfied with favour’ help me to love thee as thy child, and to walk worthy of my heavenly pedigree.”

 

Mark thought what a wonderful ending, “help me to love thee as thy child, and to walk worthy of my heavenly pedigree.” That was the task before him. He needed to cast himself upon his Lord and Savior. He needed to continue to cast his cares upon his wonderful loving Heavenly Father.

 

Mark purchased the book of Puritan Prayers. He couldn’t wait to share the book of prayers with his Christian friend. Together they would study scripture and read these timeless prayers that were steeped in faithful commitment to the God of the heavens, majestic, all knowing, loving, sensitive, all-powerful, wise and beautiful. The God they knew personally and intimately as their Heavenly Father.

 

Romans 5:2-5

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

 

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

 

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”