Happy Monday! Does your week already feel “heavy?”
Recently, I had one of those early wake-up mornings, before 4:00 a.m. I sensed a heaviness in my spirit. I talked to the Lord and tried to go back to sleep, but to no avail. I gave into getting out of bed and starting my morning routine, which included some time in the Word, but I still felt the uneasiness. A story my daughter Becky sent me a few days ago came to my mind.
A college professor stood before his class, holding up a full glass of water. “How much does this weigh?” he asked.
One ventured an answer, “Several grams?”
As he continued to hold up the glass for half an hour, he asked, “Now how much does it weigh?”
The answer came, “It hasn’t changed, but your arm may be tired.” The class proceeded with doing classwork as the professor continued holding the glass for another hour.
“What would happen if I continued to hold the glass up?” he asked.
“Maybe your arm or shoulder would ache or become numb.”
He asked, “What can I do?”
With one accord the students exclaimed, “Put the glass down!”
My heaviness had been caused by a “glassful” of care that day. It did not matter what size it was or what it weighed, but that I was holding on to it. Not only was I being foolish and unproductive but also disobedient to God’s Word, which says, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. – 1 Peter 5:7
This verse is a jewel in a chapter about the Christian life. Holding on to cares will choke the Word from our lives, according to the parable of the sower found in Matthew 13:22. Choking the Word in our lives makes us defenseless against our adversary. After the admonition in this verse to cast our cares, we are given some definite instructions in verse 8.
Be sober,… We must be self-controlled, knowing who the enemy of our souls is. This is not other people, by the way, but the devil!
…be vigilant;.. We must be watchful to resist him. The devil is sneaky and dangerous, and we can be easily enticed.
After I laid down my care that morning, I realized it had been an open door through which Satan wanted to enter and “set up shop.” Instead, I chose to meditate on Philippians 4:8 thoughts: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and things of good report. Yielding to the Holy Spirit brought the fruits of the Spirit instead: love, joy, and peace!
Oh, that I could remember that it is always a choice to hold on to care or to let it go. By the way, that day became one of my best!
Won’t you put the glass down?
by Mrs. Beverly Hyles
from Mondays with Beverly, Reprinted with Permission
