Posted by Victoria Osteen on 9/11/2012

One day a few years back, I was moving a large wall mirror in our house. Joel wasn’t around and I couldn’t wait for him, so I decided to get it done by myself. However, I didn’t realize that it was going to be as heavy as it was. I grabbed hold of that mirror, and I started to move it. I knew exactly where I was taking it and was almost there when the mirror began to feel really heavy! I didn’t know how much longer I could carry it. I thought, “I’m struggling so much. I can’t believe it’s this hard!” But I just kept pressing on. I was close and didn’t want to give up. Then something inside of me said, “Well, why don’t you just put it down for a minute and take a break?” Well, there’s a novel idea! So I set the mirror down, repositioned my hands, and took a deep breath. Very quickly, I started to feel a whole lot better. So I picked that mirror up again with my renewed strength and kept heading to where I was going feeling refreshed and revived.

You know, I think that’s kind of how we are as Christians sometimes. We hold so tightly to things that we begin to struggle in our faith and in the promises of God. We see where we’re going, and we get so determined to get there that sometimes we do it in our own strength. I believe today God is saying to us, “Slow down. Be patient. Don’t just run until you hit the wall. Listen, I’m right here to help you. Put down the heavy load for a minute. Take a deep breath, reposition your hands, and then you’ll be renewed to go on with it.”

Notice, I didn’t let that mirror go. If I had, it would have come crashing down to the ground. But I did let go of the struggle. I took just a minute to reevaluate what was going on and how I was handling things. Maybe that’s what you need to do today. Are you carrying a load in your own strength? Do you need to pause for a moment to reposition yourself? Why don’t you ask the Holy Spirit to show you a better way? He wants to take that heavy burden and lighten your load. He wants to give you rest so you can be restored and move confidently to the place of victory.

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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.(Matthew 11:28-30, NIV)

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