Once in a while, the heart becomes heavy from all of the cares and burdens placed upon it. And the sad part is we don’t need to put them there. It’s actually not where they belong.
“Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.”
–Psalm 55:22
But what exactly does that mean, “to cast your burdens on the Lord?” It means exactly what it says. In prayer and meditation, focus on the Presence of God everywhere—in every area of your life. Think not on your troubles, think about God. Throw your problems on Him, like a fisherman casting his nets and see how they come back filled with shimmering, rainbow-tinged solutions.
Think of a quality or name of God that will bring you comfort. There are countless ones to choose from in all of the world’s great religions. Find one that resonates with you and let it tumble through your mind like candy on the tongue. You can always pick a different one later, but simplify your repetitive prayer to one or two names or qualities of God and sing them through your mind. Let them settle onto your heart, like a cool, silken blanket, and let your heart be comforted.
When you feel lost and overwhelmed think of Jehovah-Raah, which is the Hebrew word for God used in Psalm 23, and it means, the Lord, my Shepherd.
When the obstacles seem too great think of Ganesha, the Hindu image for the power of God to remove obstacles—elephant-headed and powerful. Elephants have long been known for their intelligence, loyalty, and gentleness towards their young.
Think of Ar-Razzaq, one of Islam’s 99 Names of God, which means the Sustainer, and allow yourself to be energized by God’s endless bounty.
Think Ianaha, when you are feeling afraid. It is one of the 101 Zoroastrian names for God, and it means, Protector.
By the way, isn’t it wonderful, the magic of vowels? How these names for God, and scores of others, have the “ahh,” sound opening through them like audible blossoms? Allah, Jehovah, Buddha, Krishna, Adonai, Ar Raheem, and so on. This sound is the sound of wonder; it is the sound of astonishment. It is also the sound of sweet relief when we, on a sweltering hot July afternoon, drink an ice-cold glass of lemonade. What do we say after we drink? “Ahhh.”
And so, once you cast your cares upon the Lord, say, “Ahhh.” Feel refreshed and cooled down. Feel God’s comfort spread through you like cold lemonade or peach iced-tea.
But what if, after prayer and meditation, you still feel heavy-hearted? Pray some more, and don’t limit your prayers to alone, quiet time—move, let your every action be a prayer through which your name for God runs like a song, or a gently flowing river.
Better still, fulfill your duty as a human being: share your burdens with others. As Paul says in Galatians, “share one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the Law of Christ.” And Jesus said, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” And He came to be the Ocean upon Whom we could cast the nets of our troubles. He came to give us rest. We can do this, and be this, for one another. In fact, when we cast our troubles onto someone else who is willing to receive them, we receive the same thing Jesus gives—Light. And so does the receiver. They get the blessing of fulfilling the Law also.
Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
But keep in mind, Jesus rarely gives without asking for something else in return:
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.”
-Matthew 11:28-9
And, as I was studying for this entry, I found out that the word, “easy,” is better translated as, “good.” (Biblos.com)
So Jesus says, in effect, “Give me your burdens, and I will give you Mine. Mine are easy and good; Mine are Light. And you know that Light weighs next to nothing; that Light is well, lite. So take My yoke, I’ll take yours. And oh, by the way, you get to learn about Me in the process.”
And what do we learn? That is different for everyone. The point is to do it. Give your burdens to Him by prayer and by sharing them with others, and remember the Great Key to Happiness: “This too, shall pass.”
This entry came as a result of my feeling heavy-hearted lately. So many things seem to be rushing in on me—my mother’s death, the uncertainty of my job-situation due to massive cuts in funds, the many and various needs of my children, our house, and so on. So I wrote this for me, and I wrote it for you. I have practiced exactly what it says. This very entry is one of my prayers. And I have a name for God floating through my mind like a willow seed. And I am comforted as I attempt to comfort you. You are the Presence of God for me today. Thank you.
Copyright Joseph Anthony of the Wonder Child Blog