Unnecessary Baggage

Unnecessary Baggage
copyright Millie Plastaras 1/20/2005

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will
worry about it's own things. Sufficient unto the day is it's own
trouble.

Matthew 6:34

It is an interesting concept to have a clean slate.
A fresh start, an unencumbered path. Something everyone
wants, and very few people have.

How in this stressful, troubled, lonely world, do we obtain
freedom of spirit and mind?

I am reminded of a little red wagon. Each day,
we pull this wagon around behind us, and as each
trouble or worry comes, it gets loaded in that little
wagon. By the end of the day, it is a pretty heavy and
cumbersome wagon, filled with sorrow and care.
A burden for sure.

Now, we have several choices on what to do with that
wagon. Most people keep clinging to that ol wagon,
toting it from day to day. Imagine that each new day
you get another new wagon to pull around, each filled
with worries, and cares. Things you refuse to
let go of or deal with. Soon you
have a long string of wagons behind you weighing you
down and keeping you from moving with grace, and speed,
and spiritual freedom, deliverance and hope.

You my friend, are in bondage to your worries!!
Did that concept ever occur to you? Well, it is a very true one, and most people never really learn practical, down to earth concepts to help them overcome this habit of holding on
to our troubles, and the past.

We have to recognize it is a state of mind. A way of thinking,
that we have probably been taught. Perhaps no one ever
taught you there is a better way to live. Perhaps you thought
you were supposed to carry all these things around, after all,
they are your very own problems aren't they?

Jesus had an interesting response to that:
Cast all your cares on me, for I care for you.
1 Peter 5:7.

Cast? How do we cast?

1. Recognize you have problems, everyone does.
2. Recognize that they are too heavy for you to
bear from day to day.
3. Recognize the bondage they have become
to your life.
4. Recognize they are robbing you of your joy and peace,
and most of all your hope.
5. Recognize you need to learn to peel your hands
off of these things and cast them in the hands of God.

These concepts need to be remembered and adhered
to daily. Casting your care upon Him for He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

Have you ever seen a fisherman cast his line into
the water? He reaches far back and tosses that line
forward and it goes a long way out to the water.
Casting, is a skill. One we all need to learn.

God wants us to be free. As each new day arrives,
He wants it to be unencumbered by yesterday.
The more yesterdays you have piled in those little
wagons, the less you will enjoy today. And everyone
around you will pay the price.

Do you really think it is worth it to hold on to these things?

Past hurts, worries, unforgiveness, financial problems,
mistakes we have made we cannot forgive ourselves for,
worrying what does the future hold, remembering
things you have said, or someone else has said
you cannot forgive or forget.

These are cumbersome, unnecessary things to focus on.
A waste of your precious energy.

Forgive everyone, even if they don't ask:
For if you forgive men their trespasses (sin), your heavenly
Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men
their trespasses, neither with your Father forgive your
trespasses.
Matthew 6:14

This should include forgiving ourselves and
starting over fresh and clean in the eyes of God daily.
Repentance is a great healer, and restorer of the soul.

These words were spoken by Jesus. That couldn't be
more clear. We either forgive, or we will not be forgiven.
That is a big burden to carry around, one we were never
meant to carry.

Love others, even when you don't feel they love you.
But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44

Don't carry your burdens, give them away quickly,
God never intended for you to carry them.
1 Peter 5:7 says give them away. Everyday.
Just let go, and stop thinking about them. Release
them to God in prayer, one by one.

Then remember:

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are
the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy
from before thee and shall say, Destroy them.
Deuteronomy 33:27

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you as though some strange thing has happened to you.
But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's
sufferings, that when His glory shall be revealed, you
may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1 Peter 4:12,13

Don't be stressed, be dressed with praise.
Each evening leave your troubles at his feet, just
as you remove your clothes to lay down and rest
comfortably, unencumbered. Take off your worries,
trials, cares and hurts, and lay them at the feet of the
man of Galilee, who loved you and gave His life for you
that you might have freedom of spirit and forgiveness of
sins.

I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last