You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8

The Lord helps the fallen. He lifts those bent beneath their loads. Psalm 145:14

Sorrows and trials don’t discriminate. They come to all of us at all times and seasons – even Christmas. Perhaps the gifts you’ve purchased for loved ones aren’t the only burdens you had to carry on Christmas Day.

What we love about God is that He not only carries our burdens, but He carries us. Now, giving those burdens to Him is another story. It’s a skill that needs to be developed, that of intentionally releasing cares and handing them over to Him. Not that we don’t do our responsibility in the situation; not that we don’t do our part! But what we don’t carry – and must adamantly refuse to carry – is the fear and the sorrow and the self-pity and the hopelessness and the worry and the anxiety that attend those cares.

God is faithful! Did you know that He is paying attention to your sorrows and burdens? He bottles your tears, my friend! Imagine Him labeling them in His heavenly storage sheds. You have vintage tears laid up in Heaven! Yours might be labeled, “Christmas 2016.” Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one or a relationship you held dear or a job or a child… Whatever your sorrow, each and every tear has been valued by Him.

And did you know He also journals about you? He has recorded your feelings and emotions in his book. Imagine! He writes about what you are going through and how much He loves you. He has a plan to set you back on your feet and to return your heart to joy once again. What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have!

Dear one, if you are carrying cares and burdens right now, Pray this Plain and Simple Prayer:

Father,

Your eye is on the little bird I’m watching out my window. And your eye is on me, too. You are big enough to see the small things and loving enough to care about me. Lord, these are the issues that make my heart heavy today…. I choose to give you this heavy heart and all the burdens I am carrying. I ask you to take the pain and sorrow and depression that seek to weigh me down, causing hope to evaporate. I choose to believe your promises for me today. I choose to read your Word, yes, to drink it in like water to my thirsty soul, and I choose to embrace your promises and utter my hearty…Amen!

-Pastor Mark and Jill