“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be removed.” (Psalm 55:22).
When overwhelming trials enter our lives, our human response is to feel afraid, discouraged, and anxious. The fear of the unknown consumes us both mentally and physically. There are so many “what ifs” with Charlotte and Sophie–so many questions the doctors can’t answer for us, so much anxiousness about their health, and so many thoughts of uncertainty. At the beginning of this journey, we quickly discovered we had to give it all to God because we knew that He–and He alone–is the only One who can provide the relief and comfort we need to physically, mentally, and spiritually carry on.
Giving our burdens to God is not a one-time thing, and daily we are surrendering ourselves and our cares to the Lord. Over and over again, we must humble ourselves, admitting we can do nothing in our own power, come to God on our knees, and entrust our hardships to Him. Permitting God to carry our burdens liberates us to live joyfully, not weighed down by the cares of the world. God has been so gracious to grant joyfulness and overwhelming peace in our hearts and minds through this trial. We don’t feel like most days are toilsome; God has provided substantial joy that sustains us through every moment. Even the hard moments aren’t perceived as exhausting or formidable.
Why? Because God is enough. He offers true joy that is everlasting, a peace that passes all understanding, and the hope of miracles and eternal life. Choosing to focus solely on the Lord and cast our burdens on Him takes all grief, sorrow, and sadness away. In God’s presence there is a fullness of joy and pleasures at His right hand (Psalm 16:11). We believe that the joy of the Lord gives us spiritual and physical strength to endure the difficult race that is set before us. We will run but not be weary; we will walk but not faint (Isaiah 40:31).
Joy is not found in our circumstances; joy is found in God. Giving our burdens to the Lord frees us from the heaviness of life and renders true joy. When we have true joy, God gives strength, and then we are sustained through Him. God has equipped us for all trials when we seek His joy daily. Our prayer is that our testimony will reflect the joy of the Lord because it’s only God who can sustain true happiness and contentment. God is our strength, He is our joy, and He is always good.