Worry can be an extremely heavy burden. Like an overloaded backpack, it can weigh us down. I know this. I also know I am supposed to release my worries to the Lord. But I have a problem; I usually take them back shortly after I release them.
Before a recent flight, I had to pass through one of those security check points. Stripped of all the metal I could think of, I laid my backpack on the conveyor belt for screening. Apparently something looked suspicious, because they pulled my backpack aside. A security officer asked to go through my backpack. As he did, he gave me very specific instructions: “You may watch me as I go through your bag, BUT you cannot touch anything!”
It turns out they were concerned about my harmonica. Maybe they were afraid I’d actually play it, and drive the pilots crazy! After identifying the harmless instrument, I was free to go. But I had learned an important spiritual lesson. Once I give the backpack of worry to God, He says the same thing to me: “Don’t touch it! Go ahead and watch what I'm about to do, but don’t touch it!”
The Bible says, Do not fret … but rather delight yourself in the Lord (Psalm 37:1-4). When you release worry to God (and I advise it) don’t take it back. He's a professional when it comes to your baggage. Leave it with Him.
1 comment:
They let you through security with a harmonica? Are they crazy? You really could have annoyed someone with that thing!
I wish that God would just pry my fingers off of the things with which I struggle the most but instead He waits patiently for me to let go. It reminds me of the subtitle of Max Lucado's book on the 23rd Psalm, Traveling Light: Releasing the burdens you were never intended to bare.
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