Some days I feel like I am carrying the world. It takes constant awareness of what I am trying to do on my own to realize I was not made to do it all. To carry it all. To hold onto it all.

I’m guessing you probably do this too.

We have to set down the bricks.

Empty the backpack.

Stop carrying everything on our shoulders where it doesn’t belong.

We have to release it to Jesus.

I am quite a visual person so I actually start doing this visualization – especially if I am anxious at night – and release it all to Him.

I picture Jesus waiting for me to come to Him. I come up to Him and I take off my backpack and slowly open it. One by one I lay the bricks down at His feet.

I name them.

Here is my fear about money.
Here is my fear about tomorrow.
Here is this client that I am not sure how to talk to.
Here is my family.
Here is this trauma I need to work through, and I need you to hold it until it’s time.
Here is this friend and I give her and her burdens to you.
Here is our country and this event and leader who is not following you.
Here is my fear about …….

I actually do picture in my head, myself laying each brick at His feet as I list what I need to release to Him. Some days the bricks pile up larger than others. Sometimes the backpack has a couple of bricks, and sometimes there are multiple backpacks full of bricks to unload.

It can be helpful to list them on pieces of paper or rocks even and lay them down too…the paper is easier to destroy if you don’t want someone to see what you wrote, but both work if you need something hands on.

Getting on your knees can be helpful too.

We are not made to carry the burdens of this world.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

Lay everything at the foot of the cross. Jesus came to give you life and to the full, not for you to be burdened with no help to carry them. He will help you. He will provide others to walk with you as you do as well. Trust Him to, and ask Him to and He will.

Father God,
Thank you for all you do for me. Today I release to you, (list everything you need to release and picture you laying the brick of each one at the foot of Jesus and the cross.) Take all of this, and when I pick them back up, remind me to release them back to You without judgment of myself. Thank you for Your strength and the hope You give. Thank you for walking with me and carrying the heavy load. May I glorify You as I show others You are my ultimate strength and help.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

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