Let Jesus Carry What You Can't

Posted by: Lydia Snoeyink, Student Advance Assistant | Monday, July 27th, 2026 ( 9:02am)

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.—Psalm 68:19

A couple of months ago, I had one of those nights where I struggled to fall asleep. Instead of immediately entering a deep REM cycle per usual, I tossed and turned, thinking of all the things that I had yet to accomplish that week. There were those homework assignments. That crucial conversation with a friend. The wonderfully plentiful dorm events. The deep cleaning projects. The gifts to be purchased. The looming job interview. As I struggled for sleep, I knew I needed to surrender all of these things to the Lord in prayer. I asked God to carry the weight of my thoughts and bring me peace. Eventually, He answered this request and blessed me with rest.

When I awoke to a bright new day, I instantly remembered all that I had carried the night before. My shoulders sank as the weight returned. But it was in that discomfort, before I opened my eyes, that I felt Jesus laying these words upon my heart:

Cast your burdens on me.

This message was immediately followed by a memory of me as a little girl waiting to be picked up from elementary school. I stood at my assigned spot—square 52—carrying a backpack that was much too large and heavy for my tired body. Suddenly, my dad appeared, flashing a smile and giving me a hug. He eagerly took my bright pink backpack and swung it over his shoulder as if it was his own. My entire frame relaxed as the burden that was part of me that day suddenly became small and light on his strong shoulder. My sweet Dad then grabbed my hand and led me through the noisy crowd of impatient kids all the way to the car, ready to make the drive home together.

In that moment, I realized the Lord was using this memory to show me that my Heavenly Father is eager to continue carrying heavy things for me, just like my dad did with my backpack all those years ago. And, just like my earthly father, He does so eagerly and with joy, pleased that I know He is someone I can always turn to. He may not leave the backpack behind or silence the noise around me, but He will always be there to walk me through it so we can reach our destination together.

What is weighing down your backpack today? Are you feeling weary and overwhelmed by the burdens of living in a broken world? If so, Jesus invites us to surrender our burdens to Him. He offers to help free us from carrying the weight alone. No matter how ugly, how heavy, or how messy our packs may be, His capable, strong arms can hold our burden much easier than we ever could. And as He takes it from us, He will reach down and grab our hand, walking with us all the way home. He has never failed to hold my burden, and He will not fail to hold yours either. He is much better at shouldering the weight than any of us could ever be.