I'm Okay, Thank You!

I think that every one of us can identify with this scenario …

We bump into someone we haven’t seen in a while and the first exchange between both parties is almost certainly not completely honest!

We might say something like this: “Hello, lovely to see you. How are you?” To which they usually answer: “I’m fine thanks, and how are you?” And we reply: “I’m okay, thank you!” And the subject matter is quickly changed to safer small talk subjects.

A friendly conversation takes place, then we part from each other, glad that we caught up with someone we hadn’t seen for a while, but are left feeling burdened and all alone

So we just played it safe and never sincerely asked of the other’s welfare, or never gave an answer that would reveal our vulnerability.

Perhaps if we were honest we might have said something like this: “Thank you for asking, but I’m not too great today … do you have a few minutes?” And the other person might suddenly remember that appointment they need to go to, or come up with something to avoid them getting into a problem they cannot solve. They may even leave you with their number, but perhaps hoping that you will not call!

It’s not that they do not care, it’s just that they probably do not feel qualified to come up with anything helpful.

Such is the challenge of being human!

However, we need not feel all alone, because no matter who we are, or what we are going through, there is Someone who knows all about every intricate detail of our lives, whether ordered or messy!

The beloved Lord Jesus calls out to those with troubled souls:

What a promise! We are probably familiar with those beautiful words, but perhaps it is now time to take them to heart and allow the One who spoke them prove Himself.

Let’s rewind a bit and start at that question: “And how are you?” This time it is the Lord Himself asking you, what would you say to Him?

“Thank you for asking, but Lord, I’m not too great today … do you have a few minutes?”

What would He say in response to our honesty?

“I have as long as you need. Come, tell me all your concerns, cast upon me all your cares, and let’s see what I can do.”

He would not be looking for an excuse to step back during our time of need. He invites all who are heavy hearted to come to Him, because He is the only One with the promise of hope and rest.

But He has promised to give far more than relief from our immediate concern, but rest to our souls every day of our lives. This is something He longs to bless us with not just for time, but for eternity!

With the rest in our souls He desires to impart to us, the clouds of distraction caused by our heartaches and disappointments become the components that drive us to Him, and there we will  learn something very deep we would never learn during tranquil seasons.

Sometimes we carry unnecessary burdens that easily beset us to the point of exhaustion! But the yoke He gives to us is easy, and His burden is light.

It is a truly wonderful thing to be assured of His knowledge about what we are going through or how it is effecting us. Nothing is a surprise to Him, which makes it so much easier to bring our burdens and our cares to Him. He is not shocked or surprised with anything we have to say … He already knows!

It seems to me after having been walking with the Lord for many years now, that He really is an honest call away, and when we are prepared to surrender our all to Him He will meet us in all our need.

Does that mean that the problems we face will all go away?

Not necessarily. Sometimes those problems we face maybe the consequences of our own unwise decisions. Sometimes our suffering maybe allowed by God to teach us to look to Him for all we need to pass through gaining wisdom through the journey.

But we can be assured on this one precious thing - He who told us to ‘come to Him’ and avail ourselves of all He promised means everything He said! But we must do our part and come, unburden, and trust.

He is prepared to hear our complaints and heart cries, and He is right there with the remedy. He is the One with the hope and rest we long for.

Although we may still have to live through difficulties that drain our energy, when our heart is connected to our ‘burden bearer’ we are never alone anymore. And that is a life changer!