Tug of War
by Michelle Stace

 

     Have you ever brought a burden to the feet of Jesus, entrusting it to His wise care, only to go back and take it up once more? Unfortunately, most of us have done this . . . over and over. We carry the burden a while longer, become frustrated and overwhelmed and again take it to the Lord. One can just imagine a spiritual tug-of-war going on here: we've given a burden to God, then grasp it back, but God still weighs us down with His conviction. We take it anyway and so it goes.
     Do you wonder why conviction for the burden grows increasingly heavy? Could it be that God is gently but persistently putting the pressure on as a means of drawing you closer? Praise Him that in His mercy He does this. He is encouraging us to once and for all leave the burden with Him, and in doing so, obtain His rest.

"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." I Pet. 5:7

     Why is it that we have so much trouble releasing these things to God? Two of the main reasons is sin and trust. Perhaps our burden is a long cherished sin. We know that it is evil and wicked in God's sight and have desperately struggled to overcome it - yet the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak. Also we still may secretly like our sin. Sometimes it is necessary for us to struggle long with a particular sin in order to grow to despise it. When we finally become so sick of it, we are then willing to try God's way.
     Lack of trust in the Father is another reason. Lack of trust is a sign of inadequate love and obedience to God. With God, these three qualities work in a continuous cycle: more love produces more obedience produces more trust produces more love . . . etc. It grows and grows. But in order for these things to grow we must exercise our faith, just as you would the body. Like any exercise, it's difficult at first, there are sore muscles and it's hard to be consistent enough to make it a habit. But this is crucial in our Christian walk and God is our faithful enabler.

 

" . . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily  beset
 us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."  Heb 12:1

     What if we persist in carrying this burden apart from the Lord? Will the tug of war continue? Will God let go of the rope? Think what happens when one side wins in a tug of war. . . those on the losing end go plowing into the ground. "Pride goeth before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall." Prov. 16:18  It is like entertaining an evil thought too long in the mind . . . it eventually becomes an action. If the Lord sees that we remain stubborn and rebellious in carrying the burden apart from Him, He may leave us to our own devices. You may have experienced the results of this. What then becomes of this burden? It will continue to increase as we try in our "human wisdom" to solve it on our own. Or worse, if you're not careful your conscience will become numb to God's convicting because you have refused Him too long. Whatever the case, the end result is total defeat.

 

" . . . for without Me, you can do nothing."  Jn 15:5

     It is usually when we see our utter helplessness that we can finally and totally give God complete control (which He has anyway, He just wants us to realize it!) and He begins to work. Because then it is done in His power. We can take absolutely no credit and He receives all the glory. The wonderful peace and freedom following the total release of ones burden is amazing. To let our all-wise Father take care of the problem is the only true option, had we but known it. Think of all the time, mental energy and stress you've spent. Now enjoy the sweet peace in Jesus! The battle is the Lords.