The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "BURDEN" for Sunday, 26 June 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all of you who are struggling and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.[Matthew 11:29 Jeremiah 6:16] 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”[Matthew 11:30 (NIV)]
From the age of five I have carried the secret shame of abuse. I have been lonely and often have felt like damaged goods. At times this burden has seemed greater than I could bear. I have even had thoughts of suicide.
Though I had heard Matthew 11:28-30 many times, I never understood how Jesus’ yoke could be easy and his burden light. But after many sessions in therapy, God showed me that I did not have to bear the shame and guilt of abuse because I was never at fault — and that my resting place is in Jesus and his love. God had not left me but had carried me for more than 30 years.
Forgiveness has been a large part of my journey. It was never about saying what happened was okay. It was about letting go of anger and bitterness as I let the love of Jesus into my heart. Now for me, the yoke and burden of Jesus is his love and sharing his hope with others. No matter our circumstances, Jesus takes our heavy burdens and offers us the yoke of his love.
The Author: Michelle Nash (Mississippi, USA)
Thought for the Day: My past does not define who I am in Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help us learn not to allow our past to define who we are. Thank you, Jesus, for carrying our burden. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE SUFFERING ABUSE
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