Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Hebrews 6:18-20, "Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls."

 

Think

Have you ever packed up all of your thoughts and emotions in a bag, put it on your shoulders, and then walked around with it? When someone finally asked you "What's wrong?" you word vomited all over them until there was nothing left in your bag. But, soon enough, you were back to packing that bag full once more and you repeated the cycle. We all do it. Most of us are pretty good at hiding it while others walk around like billboards for "over-used and over-exhausted." The truth is, we were never meant to manage life on our own. We can let go of the load we carry and take hold of the rope that Jesus throws to us. Jesus tells us to give all of our burdens to Him. He is the only one who can turn our struggles into strength and our hassles to hope! Unlike anyone else, Jesus throws us a rope of hope to help pull us back from the edge. Biblical hope does not only wish for something good for the future – it's expecting it to happen! The Bible says, "Hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls." Our hope belongs in Jesus because of His divine life-giving power. Take that bag off your shoulders and hand it over to Jesus. Instead of living at the end of your rope, take hold of His rope of hope and find the rest that's waiting for you.

 

Act

Someone in your life needs to take hold of the rope of hope. Actively listen as you interact with people today. Pray that God will give you the opportunity to speak hope into someone's life. By simply encouraging or sharing your experience, you have the ability to help change someone's story from helpless to hopeful. Don't hesitate, offer that hope to them today!

 

Pray

God, please take my burdens; I lay them at your feet. The hope You offer through Your Son, Jesus, is more powerful than I can comprehend. Give me the type of hope that expects good to come! Thank You for Your divine power that is at work in my life. Amen