It’s Time To Lay Down The Weight That Is Holding You Back

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Rocks In Your Bag

I think of the movie The Parent Trap, when the girls load Meredith’s bag with rocks to help make her hiking trip more miserable.  After just a short time hiking up the mountain, her exhaustion was magnified by the extra weight in her bag.  She was sweating, weary, discouraged, and fatigued.

What Is The Weight In Your Bag?

The rocks weren’t needed.  They were unnecessary and useless to carry around.  What is the weight that you are carrying around today?

Is it-

• Worry
• Addiction
• Bitterness
• Strife
• Anger
• Selfishness
• Pride
• Control Issues

It’s time to take those rocks out of your bag.  In Hebrews 12:1-2 it says to put off every weight that so easily besets us, or clings so close to use.  Will you do it today?

What Do We Have To Gain?

When we put off the extra weight, whatever that might we, we can-

• run with endurance
• find freedom
• glorify God
• have a renewed energy
• experience joy

But How?

I hear you now.  But how!?  Maybe this is a struggle or stronghold you’ve been experiencing for a lifetime.  Maybe you simply feel like giving up because you are weary of the struggle.

Perhaps you’ve been trying to overcome it with the rocks still in your bag?  Maybe you emptied your bag of rocks, but keep filling up your bag once it’s empty?

Seek God daily.  Look to Him!

Replace the bad with the good.  You can’t just “put off” a sin without “putting on” what Christ tells us to do.

Find the help you need (a Christian counselor or close friend).

Seek medical help if necessary.  There is no shame in admitting that you might have a hormonal imbalance that could be helped with some medical attention.

Find rest in Jesus.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30