Sometimes, the cares and worries, the problems, the distractions, the circumstances of this life can and will burden you. It could be an unseen tension-anything that is weighing your spirit down, it can be something that made you mad three days ago that is still bothering you! But whether it is any of the things I mentioned above or not -there is always something that can hinder us from being completely free in the security and love of Christ. What is holding you back today? What is keeping you from experiencing His presence in your life?

Whatever it is, don’t dwell on it-but don’t ignore it either! Even if you don’t know exactly what is blocking you from experiencing God, talk to the Lord about it. Don’t be secretive. Tell the Lord what is burdening you, ask Him for guidance.  No one likes being stuck in a rut. It’s like in Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan when Christian was stuck in the Slough of Despond. Bunyan described the slough as follows: ‘This miry Slough is such a place as cannot be mended; it is the descent whither the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and therefore is it called the ‘Slough of Despond:’ …for still as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there ariseth in his soul many fears, and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together, and settle in this place; and this is the reason of the badness of this ground.”

How did the pilgrim escape this pit? Christian is pulled out by Help a fellow character in the book! (I am sure you’ve all read the book and know how it goes.)
So do not hesitate to call upon God for help. He is always willing to give it. You will find Freedom in Him! You will find joy and peace everlasting. There is no other feeling besides that of Freedom which can bring such peace to a soul. When you are free from your burdens and cares you will be able to serve your family with the joy and willingness that can only be found in Christ.

I love the lyrics to this song by Kim Walker Smith from the Jesus Culture worship band, it’s called “Walk With Me” and I was so blessed when Kim sang it at Passion 2013 this year:

Author of the world walk with me
Ruler of the earth walk with me
Calmer of the storm walk with me
Healer of my heart walk with me

How I need You, how I need You
Oh Jesus, walk with me
Light for every step walk with me
Giver of each breath walk with me

How I need You, how I need You
Oh Jesus, walk with me
How I love You, how I love You
Oh Jesus, walk with me

In Your presence Lord, there is peace, there is rest
In Your presence Lord, there is light that never ends
In Your presence Lord, there is joy, there is joy
In Your presence Lord, there is light that never ends

So to wrap it up-all of us get weighed down at times-things hold us back from Jesus and His Spiritual blessings. But you can always be renewed, refreshed and replenished when you take that first step back into His sanctuary. Pray, confess if need be, ask for help, and He will be at your side within the moment-squeezing you, reassuring you and protecting you like the AMAZING Father He is.

God bless,
~Lisa

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,
and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1