Come ye heavy laden and I will give you rest. What does this mean?

Valhalla · Profuse Pontificator

Come ye heavy laden and I will give you rest. What does this mean?

LoudmouthMormon · Profuse Pontificator

Valhalla wrote:
Christ has said, "Come ye heavy laden, and I will give you rest." And He has said, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

What do these things mean?

I do not believe He is saying we'll never experience crushing burdens if we follow Him. I beleive Christ is talking to those who have not chosen to follow him. He is talking about the burden of sin, compared with the burden of accepting Christ as Savior.

Consider how hard your life is now, and consider what it would be like if you carried, in addition to what you carry now, the added burdens of all your sins.

These are my two cents only, but that's what I'm getting out of those two promises.

LM

Valhalla · Profuse Pontificator

So, it seems to be more of an after this life thing, as opposed to now? I can see what you mean, though. I was kind of hoping it applied somewhat in this life.

bokbadok · Senior Bucketkeeper

val, I thought I remembered you saying not so very long ago that you felt the Christ was bearing your burdens, and you felt some relief. Fluctuations in faith and comfort are a normal part of mortality.

What you're describing, however, sounds like depression to me. Doing everything you know how to do to worship and obey, and still feeling crushed with despair? Yeah. I've been there. My advice: Seek some professional help.

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

There are a number of reasons for why you could feel this way. Without specifics about your life, it can be difficult to get the resolution you're seeking.

If the matter's simply the way you feel, then chances are you need to resolve them. You might consider talking with your bishop, he might be able to recommend a counsellor or someone with whom you could talk out these burdens.

If there's an actual crushing effect in your life, like debt, alcohol abuse, or sex addiction, then your bishop could recommend programs for that, which may help you get ideas on how you can better carry your end of that yoke.

If your burdens are cumulative, the effects of unfulfilled dreams, wanton desires, lusts, well-meaning intentions unrealized, and a heart in conflict with your will, then likewise it helps to talk out these matters. Brutal honesty, coming to see your weaknesses and failings can be crushing as well, if there isn't someone there to remind you that all things are temporary when we have faith in Christ.

Often the very act of confession through the proper channels (which would also show you're putting your faith in Christ who is to carry this yoke with you) can lighten the load. You don't carry your burdens alone, that's for sure, but there are things about your life that only you face, and these things that you so despise now, will someday be regarded as treasures more valuable than gold... or so the apostle Peter supposed.

I also don't think you should assume that all your trials will only go away in the afterlife. It may be so with some, but often our burdens become lighter as we focus on them less and more on other aspects of our life that bring us joy to counter the negative. Some aspects take mastery, others take time. Do you have a plan for the future? Do you have anything to look forward to, besides the afterlife? If not, find something that you can save for... Don't just save for "retirement" but save and plan for moments of joy. And I'm not just talking about money, I'm talking about service and friendships, about making enemies allies, and finding ways to bring light into the lives of others... like the scriptures teach us.

I dunno... if these ideas help or hinder, but I do know that when we cast our bread upon the water, that it returns to us. There are seasons of joy and seasons of misery in every life. We experience opposition so that we can truly appreciate the ecstasies of living right. If all your life has been exciting and fulfilling up to this point, then chances are, you've been living a lie for a long time, thinking that it could always be that way. Perhaps this is God's way of telling you, that you need to find joy in things other than the things that used to bring you joy... that it's time to reshuffle your priorities or find truth in new venues... don't give up on the old things that gave you strength (like your testimony, or scripture study), just seek new sources...

The devil seems capable of making us miserable with pretty much everything. The converse is equally true, however. With the right spirit, one can find joy in even the most menial aspects of our life.

--Ray

Jen · Senior Bucketkeeper

I've thought a lot recently about the following statement in those scriptures, "for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Hopefully I can express my thoughts and feelings clearly.

I'm a guilty person. I just feel guilt a lot. I don't want to inconvenience people, especially people I love and respect, and when I do it tears me up a little. I think that even extends to my relationship with the Savior at times. I wonder if I'm not fully willing to hand him my burdens (and along with them my stubborness and my WILL) because I don't want to ask it of Him.

So recently I've thought about the statement above. How can our Savior, who suffered for all, who watches us make mistakes and watches some deny His wonderful atonement, who sees the state of the world that He died for, have an easy yoke and a light burden?

To answer that I have to look at WHY He did what He did. And why He continues to implore us to let Him help carry our burdens. The answer is love. (I think so many things in the Gospel come straight back to love, but that's another post). I think about the small part I play in this life. . .take my role as mother, for example. Having kids is a lot of work and sacrifice. It's a pain sometimes. . .. but I'm human. In spite of my mortalness and the difficulty there is in being a mom some days and some nights, I'm fully willing and I even find joy in it, because I love them, and serving them is my priviledge. When I think of my job in those terms, I can even find lightness and easiness in the tasks that potentially and often weigh me down. I can even apply the same philosophy to my marriage, my calling, my relationships with extended family and friends, etc. I'm not perfect, but it gives me a starting point.

So in addition to the advice to seek help for possible depression (I echo that advice), I'll tell you what my mom told me when I was in the deepest depression of my life: lose yourself in service. It's hard when you already feel like you're carrying so much, but if you find places to go outside of yourself and help someone else with their burdens, you might find that your own become easier to bear.

zealia · Profuse Pontificator

I have had times when my enviroment was very bad and I felt blessed to feel close to God. I have other times when I have felt so drained and even focusing on one Scripture was almost beyond me and short prayers were a struggle. I believe that we show faith by still worshipping during those times. I think that it was easy to worship when I felt so blessed. I have been grateful for the times when I have felt renewal. Also, I do feel that God helps me to function to this day as well as I do and sometimes I have reminders that show me how close I could be to not functioning in a work environment. At home, I am blessed to be able to read a lot.

There can be ways to focus. For instance, a good LDS book may help give you something to focus on at this time. I read an article aboout how focusing on how grateful you are before you prayer for a few minutes can help prepare you for prayer. Also, you can be reminded of all you have been spared.

Valhalla · Profuse Pontificator

Yeah, bok, I did feel that way for a while, and then suddenly it was gone. Feels like being in a fog. I just have not quite been able to figure out those two scriptures work. I want Him to take it all, just kind of confusing as sometimes it feels like the yoke is easy and other times it is not. Kind of why I wondered if it is a test to see if you will stay the course whether He is there or not.

I kind of liken it to what we hear in the BoM so much, that if you live righteously, you will prosper. Then you read of Alma and his people that escaped king Noah, who were living righteously and then were enslaved and mistreated and the scriptures say that sometimes the Lord seeth fit to try the patience of His people. That really kind of bothered me because it seems if you try He will prosper you, but then He might not and let you have it anyway. I see it just a test of what we will do come hell or high water. Maybe that is all that is. Sometimes it feels light, sometimes crushing, sometimes you just wonder where you are and try to live it regardless.

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

One way I look at it is that we can keep all the crapola in perspective. I like LM's post and in a humorous way (but it doesn't feel humorous in the midst of it) made me think of the famous saying, "Things can always get worse." We have the knowledge of where this blink of a life lands in the grand scheme of things. Paul said (totally paraphrasing here)... if we're not in the Truth, we of all people are the most miserable, because we don't even eat, drink and be merry. We'll have nothing in the next life, and we've deprived ourselves or sacrificed in this life for nothing. I don't think it's strange anymore to go through these types of trials. Satan is working overtime. It's not always the blaring, screaming sin that can take us down, sometimes it's like Chinese water torture - it just keeps going and going and going until you finally snap.

Just don't snap. I say, If Satan didn't feel you were a threat to his kingdom, he'd pretty much leave you alone. The relief will come. Maybe not when you want, but He has promised that. If we aren't stretched, we won't grow. And yeah, stretching really sucks.

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

I sorta skimmed the thread, but having read Jen's post now I REALLY agree with the service part. You get into others' lives a little more this way, and it really helps in easing one's burdens. Ironical sort of because you think of someone coming in and easing your burdens, but it's when you ease others' that yours get lightened.

arbilad · Head Chef

Valhalla, I think that the burden being lightened is a relative thing. That is, whatever our situation in life, he will make it easier to bear. You use the example of Alma and his people being enslaved. Can you imagine how much harder slavery would be to bear if you had sins complicating your life? For example, if you were always contentious with your fellow slaves, slavery would be a lot harder to bear. Their burdens were lightened from what they could have been.
Take your current situation. You don't do drugs, so even though you may deal with health problems, you aren't developing extra health problems from drug use. You don't steal, so you're not facing a prison term for that. You don't cheat on your wife, so you're not dealing with problems of guilt and unworthiness.
I don't mean to make light of your situation at all. But imagine how much worse it would be if you were adding problems to your current situation by not keeping the commandments.
There's another point that I'd like to make; coming unto Christ gives us a point to focus on to get us through the trials. A famous psychiatrist, Victor Frankl, used to prevent suicides by helping people see the things in their life that gave it meaning. And he practiced what he preached. He survived the concentration camp experience by using faith and thoughts of his wife.
That's what Christ does for us. He gives our lives meaning, and by concentrating on Him, it throws the rest of life into perspective.

Valhalla · Profuse Pontificator

I see what you mean arbi. The stuff that is always a problem is still there, it was just that something had changed. Kind of like a huge hurdle had been thrown up, or someone moved the finish line again. Maybe a fog came up and would I keep trying to refocus myself on Christ or "wander off into strange and forbidden paths".

BTW, I like your new avatar, that's cool. Never read any of those books though.

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

The patriotic octopus write books?

Okay, back to the subject -- strange and forbidden paths definitely does not sound good. Think of those precious kiddo's! They need your strength cuz who knows but they might be going through the exact same thing as adults and you are the only one that could relate and who they'd listen to.

Valhalla · Profuse Pontificator

Nope, not straying anywhere, more along the lines of Lehi's dream and the mists of darkness and holding on to the rod and going forward even though you can't see where you are going.

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

You know, I've always LOVED this analogy. Sometimes we really don't see where we are being led. And that goes against our natures to really "take charge" and do what we want. Life doesn't always lead us where we would've planned for ourselves.

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

Val: Since the Rod of Iron represents the Word of God, I think you're making a great choice to continue your scripture study, even when you feel like you can't see the tree of life. Good luck on your journey, I wish I was as stalwart! I'm praying for you!

--Ray

zealia · Profuse Pontificator

Arbi, it has helped me to think on your words of late. I am grateful that I do not have any addictions to sustances or other behaviors that interfere with my life and take away my dignity. Of course, I have my condition that effects my life. Yet, I know how encompassing an addiction can be and withdraw from hearing about it from others. I don't know in the sense of having experienced it myself. Although I was not raised LDS, I am grateful for the example of my mother and the good teachers in my Catholic Schooling that taught me a better way.

Valhalla, I wonder if you do things that are relaxing such as walking in nature, or just taking time to not feel pressure. I think that sometimes we need to relax for God to be able to communicate more with us. I am also mindful of how I used to feel the Holy Spirit so much at Church and during my day after receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost when I joined the LDS Church. I had not generally felt that

zealia · Profuse Pontificator

peace in recent years when I went to Church. I had a couple of times. I have felt the Holy Spirit at times in recent years, but not like I used to years ago. However, I remind myself that before I became LDS that I did not know such a peace. I did not know what I was missing. I enjoyed the Church of my youth. I felt the influence of the Holy Spirit a couple of times in my youth. I know that people often experience the Holy Spirit more when they are a misisonary. I am grateful for the strength that I believe God gives me on a daily basis to get through the day.

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

btw, I've been feeling a bit heavy-laden lately. Though it's all entirely (mostly) my own doing. I should've heeded the Spirit... I should've been wiser... I should've had a little common sense...

In times like these, I find that often I try to carry my stupidity with me... just as there are natural consequences, I just figure, these are the consequences and I just need to suffer. I don't deserve forgiveness for things I had plenty of warning about, should be over by now, old habits, bad behavior, pettiness, etc...

But that's all selfish too... it's taking the job of Savior upon myself. And it's wrong. SO I'm trying to repent, and do the right thing cuz it's the right thing, and cuz I really believe in Christ.

--Ray

zealia · Profuse Pontificator

Ray, I am sorry that you have felt such a burden. We all make mistakes. God loves you!

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

rayb wrote:

btw, I've been feeling a bit heavy-laden lately. Though it's all entirely (mostly) my own doing. I should've heeded the Spirit... I should've been wiser... I should've had a little common sense... Hindsight is 20/20, isn't it?

In times like these, I find that often I try to carry my stupidity with me... just as there are natural consequences, I just figure, these are the consequences and I just need to suffer. That is often the case. I don't deserve forgiveness for things I had plenty of warning about, should be over by now, old habits, bad behavior, pettiness, etc... If by "forgiveness" you mean a get out of jail free card, no. That rarely happens in fact. God usually lets the consequences run their course. If we do not learn by listening to warnings and Spiritual promptings, He will allow us to learn by the school of hard knocks.

But that's all selfish too... it's taking the job of Savior upon myself. Remember, there are no short-cuts in becoming a disciple. And it's wrong. Learning from one's mistakes is not wrong. SO I'm trying to repent, and do the right thing cuz it's the right thing, and cuz I really believe in Christ. Thank you for the good example. Hopefully we all learn from mistakes and don't keep repeating them.

--Ray