Have you ever had one of those days where you felt as though the weight of the world was upon your shoulders? That is what I was feeling yesterday. My poor wife had to listen to me unload yesterday afternoon. I think I spent 30 minutes just spewing everything that was troubling me in my life on her. It was kind of like praying to my wife. She sat and listened as I unloaded. She was kind and understanding. Then we got up and made dinner.
I felt better.
I don’t typically unload on my wife. She isn’t always the best sounding board. She is in the world with me and carries her own heavy burdens. I run the risk of inflaming unnecessary worry. But, in the case of yesterday, she helped me bear my burdens and strengthen me when I was weak by listening.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do that too. I haven’t been praying as much as I need to. I feel my prayers are more sincere when I kneel. It hurts to kneel with my busted pelvis. So, I’ve had a hard time feeling in tune when praying. The act of prayer does a lot. But, if I can really connect with God while praying, I always feel my burdens have been lightened. I feel as though Heavenly Father strengthens me. He takes that weight of the world and carries some of it for me. He alters my perspective. He often answers, but doesn’t always give me all the answers. He gives me renewed hope and determination to move forward.
It is a miracle that God can do this. How he does it, I don’t know. But I know he does. Maybe it is through His Holy Spirit? Or maybe his Holy Angels? It doesn’t really matter. I just know that as I have these experiences, my faith in Him is strengthened.
23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will.
Alma 33 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
The attached image of an Aspen grove. There are a gazillion Aspen trees in the mountains above my house. I have a deep love for their beauty and majesty. I didn’t take this photo, I pulled it from here. But, I would say that this experience of feeling my burdens lifted would be like sitting in the mountains admiring the beauty of an Aspen grove.