Wednesday, April 30, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Acts 8

“Bend but don’t break” is how we handle life’s hardships without being devastated by their magnitude. I’m an “A” student when it comes to adapting, but I often fail at the not-breaking part. The results are partially due to my ego and partially to thinking, “at least I’m not as bad as (fill in the blank).”

Too frequently, I’ve learned the hard way that comparing burdens is a human flaw. I always come out on the other side, but only after I lean or fall into Jesus and ask him to guide me through my struggles.

I remember the years I had with my mother and recall the many times she took her burdens to Jesus when multiple sclerosis left her exhausted. She never waited until there was broken glass all around her. Though God didn’t heal my mother’s broken body here on earth, he filled her spirit and brought peacefulness to her tired heart and mind.

Difficult decisions became easier once she gave her problems to God … and gave God to her problems. As Steven Furtick said, “God is bigger than your problems.”

Matthew 11:28 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This scripture offers so much peace within its promise. Jesus isn’t demanding we bend a knee or claiming that he will erase all stress and hardship. Instead, he is delivering an invitation to us, because he knows we will eventually break if we try to do life on our own. He acknowledges that this world is full of adversity, but he promises to fight alongside us.

Why wait until you’re too tired to give your all to Jesus?

Accept the invitation and get the renewal you need to navigate life’s other challenges. Jesus promises to give you rest from the weariness and burdens of trying to do life on your own. Allowing Jesus to do the hard work gives you more opportunities to be present in a world waiting for you to share his Good News.

Questions:
Is life too stressful too often? How do you see others respond to life’s pressures? How do you feel when you give things to God to handle?

Next Steps:
Name your burdens and write them down. Pray to God about those problems, and cross them off as you see God help you navigate them. Share your burdens with other Christians, and ask them to pray with you.

Prayer:
God, I know I’m stronger when I live in community with others and give my troubles to you. Remind me when I struggle to see that truth. Replace my foolish pride with humility so that I know accepting or asking for help is a betterment and not a hindrance. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

John 8:31-32
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

This post was written by Jaron Camp, a Findlay attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.