The Young And The Restless
Sometimes life can seem like a soap opera, full of drama. Throughout our lives we will encounter times of satisfaction and times of dissatisfaction.
Frustration
Frustration is a sense of dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs. Frustration can cause us to get physically sick. Frustration can physically, mentally, and emotionally wear us down. We begin to question and ‘process’ everything.
Frustration can lead to anxiety and cause us to lose our joy for living. It can also threaten our faith in God. Jesus calls those who are burdened to exchange their burden for His rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)
Oxen And Their Yoke
When plowing a field two oxen were placed in a yoke, one was older and more experienced and the other was younger and less experienced. The younger would learn from the older.
Jesus’ Call
Jesus’ call is to the worn out and weighed down. Jesus’ solution for your burden is His burden.
Take Jesus’ Yoke
If we carry the yoke without Jesus we will just be going in circles.
Exchange your burden for Jesus’ burden. This is not a call to an ‘easy’ life… this is life connected to Jesus. Jesus and you are going to ‘plow’ through this together.
Get ‘Hooked Up’
“Learn from me…” not “about me”. Let Jesus mentor you up close.
Learn gentleness. Gentleness is love in kindness that offers itself to others. Kindness laughs, encourages, shares, instructs.
Learn humility. Humility is not weakness. Because Jesus knows that He has all the resources of the universe at His command. Jesus is confident but not conceited.
“Rest For Your Soul”
Jesus’ three invitations are a call to actively participate with Him: Come, Take, and Learn. If we respond, we will receive emotional, mental and spiritual revitalization in our inner being.
Ephesians 4:1-3 “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”(NIV)
Develop Patience To Ease Your Frustration
Patience is not standing around with your arms crossed while you wait. Patience is the ability to remain fervent and persistent in the midst of frustratingly difficult circumstances. It is ‘perseverance’.
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”(NIV)
‘Life’ requires patience. Impatience causes us to work twice as hard. Patience helps us to better respond to difficulties and setbacks.
“My Yoke Is Easy And Light”
There’s nothing easier than trusting Jesus to work with you, care for you, provide, strengthen, encourage and guide you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”(NIV)