In a church service not too long ago, as I was being prayed for, I was told that the Lord was broadening my shoulders. At the time I wasn’t sure what that might entail.

Since then, I have seen struggles in marriages and families. I have seen loneliness in the widow’s eyes, the longing for someone to love them, children suffering with sickness, people struggling through life. I have seen strong people fall under the pressures of life, and the weak barely holding on.

My eyes have been opened, and I am aware of the struggles other people face, and a deep compassion swells within me. The Lord wasn’t broadening my shoulders for me to carry all these weights and burdens. He was broadening my shoulders to lighten the load for someone else by lifting them up to Him.

However, sometimes my heart wants to do so much more than I am able to do, and the weight becomes more than I can bear. It is like now, with excruciating pain in my neck and shoulders, that I realize I have been trying to carry too many things on my own. I thought it was my job to help and relieve so many others, that I have let the weight harm me. The load was not mine to carry. It was bigger than me. And when the load gets too heavy for me to carry, I have to call on Jesus to help. I have to lay down the weights and burdens and let Him carry the load. He reminds me again, that the load I am trying to carry isn’t mine.

We all need a reminder that when we try to handle all the problems, we muddle things up.  We get in the way of what God is wanting to do. We can’t see the big picture, and we just might be scribbling on the masterpiece. As a friend put it…. “It’s not my hula hoop!”

Picture it… A person in the hula hoop, the rhythm and timing, all is going good, then from the side, another person tries to join in. The hula hoop topples and falls to the ground. God may be showing you what is going on, so that you can pray for that person. So you can say, “Jesus, my friend needs You!” He didn’t show you, for you to jump in. Maybe they are too overwhelmed by the burdens and weights, trying to keep the hula hoop balanced and spinning, that they forget to call on Jesus.

Jesus said,
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened,
and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me,
for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart,
and you will find rest
(relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet)
for your souls.
30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing,
but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant)
and My burden is light and easy to be borne.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (AMP)

I cannot carry the weight on my shoulders, no matter how broad the Lord makes them. He doesn’t expect me to try. I may not be able to help each person, but He has shown me that just being available, giving a hug, encouraging word or smile, and praying when I can’t do anything else- these are the best things to do.

Jesus, this load I’ve been carrying, You never meant for me to carry it alone.  Lord, take this burden, and please give me rest.  Jesus, all the people You have shown to me, I place them in Your hands, once and for all. Jesus, I know You care more about them, than I ever can, and You will take care of each need according to Your best plan.  Amen!

“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.”
1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)