When my younger son was little, he wanted to be able to swim like his big brother. It was truly a burden to him. But once in the pool, he would cling to the side. I told him he'd have to work at it and I'd be there to take care of him, but he wouldn't release that death grip on the railing.
We tend to do that when it comes to the burdens in our lives. Maybe we'll share with family or friends, a minister or two, and receive some love, sympathy, or advice in return. And often we hear, All you have to do is...give it all to God...believe...have some faith...pray...trust Him...read the Bible, and on and on.
Not always that easy, is it? The desire is there. We desperately want to put our burdens in God's loving hands and walk away with His perfect peace. We try. Again and again. We pray for His will, purpose and direction, yet still feel the crushing weight of those burdens. Why hasn't God come through for us?
The problem isn't God. It's us. We're still clinging to our burdens. We may think we've given them to God, but they're still right there with us. We won't let go. And whatever has accompanied our burdens---fear, anxiety, worry, pressure, envy, jealously, suspicion, distrust, anger---continues to haunt us.
Sometimes the reason is psychological. Many find a false sense of comfort in having their burdens around. They don't like change or venturing into the unknown. There's familiarity in those burdens, a situation they believe they can control or, at least, manage.
But often we simply fail to understand this is a process. Belief. Faith. Prayer. Trust. All are important in moving from looking at ourselves to concentrating on God. Yet one part of this process is critically important. Without it, we will never let go of any burden. It's mentioned in Romans 1:20-21.
Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
The overall passage is about God's intense angeragainst men and women suppressing the truth. It's often taught as being only about those who don't believe in God, which is not true. John specifically says these people knew God! But they didn't glorify Him. They failed to praise, honor and worship Him as God, something that's impossible while living a godless and wicked life. But notice that these people did not thank God.
John put giving thanks on the same level as glorifying God. Paul said our service leads others to thank God, which is an attribute of following Christ, and urged us to joyfully give thanks for everything (see 2 Corinthians 9:12, Ephesians 5:15-20, Colossians 1:11-12, 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Throughout the Bible we're told to give thanks, but why? Because without thanking God---our belief is conditional, our faith is weak, our prayer is incomplete, and our trust does not exist. When we fail to sincerely thank God for taking our burdens, we're merely going through the motions. So we cling to them for all we're worth hoping they'll somehow just fade away.
Got burdens? Believe God exists. Have faith He loves you. Pray for Him to take your burdens. Trust Him to keep His promise. And when you're done, say, "Thank you for doing this." Then let go and have peace.
