Numbers 1 through 7.
(This will be a work in progress. Check back to see more. If you don’t see your #1 reason, let me know in the comments below. Working together there’s no telling how far we will go.)
1. You can’t find the off switch for your daily struggles. It’s effecting your sleep and stealing your joy.
You need Jesus. He is big enough to shoulder all your burdens. He says in His Word. “My yoke is easy, My burden is light” – Matthew 11:30 -. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus invites you and me to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him…and promises that we will find rest in our souls in Jesus!
Come to Me, all those laboring and being burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 from Green’s Literal Translation
Vocabulary time.
Yoke – traditionally it is a heavy piece of equipment used to hold 2 oxen, or mules together, so as to encourage teamwork. Ideally, the ox would be matched up so neither pulled harder than the other, or one was more of a leader, the second more of a follower. The goal was a smooth pull, not a tug-of-war.
Yoke – biblically it shows a joining up of two separate groups of people to work as one. It wasn’t always an equal match, it was often one country (usually the children of Isreal) being put into servanthood for another foreign, other god worshiping, country. With Jesus the yoke is a picture of Him working with us as we help Him to get the work completed.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, because I am meek and lowly in
heart and you will find rest to your souls.
Matthew 11:29 from Green’s Literal Translation
2. You feel like you’re not enough.
Well, you’re right. None of us is enough. If we were enough, it would be a cold, stark world with little love. God created us to need one another, to need Him. Because when we come to the cross, confess our sins, open our hearts door to Jesus – then Jesus makes us enough!! It’s that wonderful?! Once we have Jesus on board, He will give us comfort and strengthen us to meet the day head on. Jesus goes before us arranging all the interactions in our day. Jesus protects us from every side.
This doesn’t mean you will have no problems anymore. Problems are part of life on earth. It means Jesus will be right there with you in the midst of your problem. When you become overwhelmed you say, “Jesus help me” and He’s there, giving the assistance that will best help you. At the end of the day, you can think back over the events, and you will begin to see where and how the Lord helped you through your day.
3. Life is hard and sometimes cruel. You begin every day with trepidations. You really just want to crawl into a cave and never come out.
You really need Jesus. Fresh mercy every morning, along with the truth that we can’t outrun His love. His love fuels our love and when we walk in love, the whole world begins to look brighter. Jesus is there for us. Every day, every trial, every scary moment. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that His grace is sufficient. He has enough grace to make up for where we are short. First, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. Second, begin each day by putting it in His hands. He is faithful, He will meet you where you are! He will make up the difference where you are lacking.
And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul speaking in 2 Corinthians 12:9, King James Version
4. You need Jesus, not a word of the year!
What is this word of the year? It’s really bugged me for a year or two. At first I couldn’t figure out what they were talking about. Then I did some reading up on it, looked into it, ya know, is this for me? So, what did I learn? It’s a lot of work trying to figure out where you are, what you’re feeling, what’s your weakness? I mean, who really wants to do all that work? And what do you get in the end? A word? what? really! Just a word. And this word is supposed to zoom my mind back into focus. I call this wishful thinking. Do you want something substantial to focus on? Try Jesus! Focus on Him, that is really worth your time. And I promise you will feel uplifted, encouraged, even energized when you focus on Jesus.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He according to His great mercy having regenerated us to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in Heaven for you – the ones in the power of God being guarded through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time;
1 Peter 1:3-5 – Green’s Literal Translation
Focus on Jesus. That is worth your time. You are building a relationship with the One True God of all. This most vital relationship is all you need to stay the course and keep your focus.
#5 You have ADHD? You NEED Jesus!
Okay, getting real here. This is the nitty gritty of my life, in May it will be 38 years of living with ADHD. I used to joke with my children, that ADHD is contagious – but it’s no joke! It’s true! The habits of the people we live with rub off on us. Especially if you love the other person. So, I am speaking from experience here, you NEED Jesus! Jesus is the only one who accepts us, uglies and all. Jesus is the only one who laughs with us, not at us. Jesus is the one who CAN keep up with All. The. Things. we forget. Jesus invites us to throw it all on Him. He says, give it to me! I will carry you! I will be the giver of all the good things. All we have to do is receive, say thank you, I love you, and give Jesus a big smile. This is serious. Think about it. Do you want to travel alone through live with your ADHD burden? Or would you like company, that helps, and holds, and says, I got this! Personally, I am so glad I walk with Jesus. He’s got my life!
#6 You have no purpose.
Jesus will give you purpose! I taught my children this, all Jesus wants from us is to say thank you, walk with me, You’re the best! All Jesus wants from us is a relationship. Know Me, He says, I am your God.
Psalm 46:10 – King James Version
Be still and know that I am God!
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
So, in all your doing, and striving, and trying this year; stop, be still and sense God with You. Build a relationship with Jesus. Find a Bible and read the book of John first. Go find the app, Quick Bible, download it, read John. Reading the Bible is how we build a relationship with Jesus. His Word helps us to understand who He is. You will just be starting on this journey of knowing Jesus when you wake up realizing you have a purpose!
#7 Life isn’t working
If you are at the spot where no matter how hard you try, nothing seems to help, you need Jesus. Jesus accepts our pitiful efforts to fix our lives and makes life better. He takes our weakness and throws his strength into it, and we have victory! Victory in Jesus! Maybe you know Jesus. Maybe you’ve been ignoring Him? Come back! Jesus says that all of heaven rejoices when one lost sheep is returned to the fold. Come back and listen to heaven rejoice. Jesus is a burden lifter. He opens doors and brings good into our lives. I am not saying He will bring ease & laziness into your life. You will still need to work, but you will want to work, you will see a purpose to your work.
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood.
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.Eugene Bartlett, 1939