Have you ever thought about the purpose behind purses and backpacks? I have always had a love for both items. Just about every school year I would get to pick out a new backpack. And to this day I still have a problem purchasing purses I don’t truly need.
Backpacks are meant to help us carry our load. We put our books, binders, and other school items in them. Thank goodness for that because I could not have simply just carried all those items throughout my career as a student.
But what do we do when it comes to items that aren’t physical? Where do we carry our stress? Our burdens? Our worries? Are we meant to carry them alone? Can we buy a purse or a backpack for these items?
I wish it was as simple as stuffing my stress into a backpack or my worries into a purse. That would be a purse I would be willing to leave behind somewhere. See, I am a worrier by nature; I can’t help but to worry. One day not too long ago my dad told me “Worry means that you aren’t trusting God.” Wow. That was a punch to the gut. Of course I trust God! I didn’t know my worry cancelled out my trust for God. I know God has a plan for my life. His plan has already been so clear and evident. So then really, why do I worry? I think the simple answer is that I live in a fallen world and this is just one of the struggles I have and am going to have. (But please feel free to share tips on not worrying if you have some.)
I believe this is why community and our relationship with God is so important. We aren’t meant to carry our stuff alone. We are built to live in community, to share our struggles, and to grow in relationships with those around us. Living in community provides the opportunity to see things in ways that we might not normally, to have accountability for our actions, and to know we aren’t the only ones who struggle and have problems in our lives.
I also believe this is why we need to be in constant communication with God. Even when it seems like we are the only ones talking, don’t give up. Read a chapter of the Bible every day. Pray throughout the day. I find that I pray when I am driving in the car. I also find that sometimes doing my quiet time in the morning isn’t always practical with my schedule…and that’s okay! You have to find a rhythm that works for you and your every day life, whatever that looks like.
Hear me when I say this: you are not alone. Your struggles are not yours and yours alone. You have people around you who love you, who want to help you, and who want the best for you. God doesn’t want nor does He expect for you to face the trials of this life by yourself.
My mother always told me “to have a friend, you have to be a friend.” So let’s all go out and be the friends that we want to have in our corner, fighting for us, pushing us, lifting us up, and helping carry our stuff.
