Worry, Work or Prayer?

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” Psalm 55:22

Life is filled with “burdens.” These burdens are often consuming our thoughts and often overtake our rest and sleep. How we face the “burdens” of life will control not only our thoughts and actions but will be a disrupter of our spiritual life.

We have at least three approaches we can deploy when we are burdened. We can take proactive steps to bring about a remedy for our burden, we can worry about the effects and outcome of the burden or we can turn to God for His comfort and help with our burdens.

If you are “burdened” with a stone in your shoe, you could worry about the damage and discomfort the stone has brought into your life or you can pull your shoe off and remove the stone. To be proactive, and remove the stone, will shorten the time and effect of the burden the stone has brought into your life.

When we choose to worry about our burdens, we do not bring about solutions that will affect the troubles we face. Worrying about life’s burdens will not only erode your joy but will also shake your confidence in God’s love and concern for you.

David, King of Israel and noted as the friend of God, found himself in a “burden” that was overwhelming him. The words of the king make clear that the burden was overpowering his ability to cope with it. David declared:

“Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.” (Psa 55:3)

The victor, who had slain the giant Goliath and was received with the voices of praise claiming, “And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sa 18:7) now was besieged by his enemies. Instead of praise and lifting his spirits and countenance, the oppression of the wicked iniquity and hate was overtaking his thoughts.

We, like the king, must choose how we face our “burdens”. Indeed, the problems in life can be overwhelming and bringing about a resolution to the problem is not as simple as removing a stone out of your shoe.

In the words of this verse, David revealed this burden was damaging his physical, mental and spiritual health:

“My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.” (Psa 55:4)

David, the King of Israel who was a mighty warrior, was considering running away in the face of this “burden” said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.” (Psa 55:6-7)

Often we are powerless over the problems we face and are overwhelmed. Some people see death preferable to living with the burden. We are overwhelmed because we don’t have the power to see the future. We can only worry about what the outcome of the burden will be.

God has made this promise to you:

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Co 10:13)

The words of the Apostle Paul reminds us of God’s faithfulness when he said all our burdens are “common to man.” Others have faced your burden and others will face your burden. God knows the limit of your physical, psychological and spiritual ability and will not leave you alone to face these problems.

If your burden is overwhelming you, God promises to “make a way to escape” so you will not be overcome by the burdens of life. Be encouraged by the counsel given by David. If you are in a life-changing situation: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.”

Trust in God. Do not look into the face of evil and trouble all alone. God loves you and will sustain you in the time of trouble!