Fear. Regret. Bitterness. Depression. Anger. Grief. We all have times in our life when we deal
with these kinds of emotions. They may come through challenging seasons such as discord in the
marriage, a wayward child, betrayal, health issues or even the loss of a loved one.
If not dealt with, these types of seasons can leave behind feelings, emotions and baggage that we
should not be carrying. I heard a statement last night that really impacted me. It was, “It’s not
baggage unless you are carrying it around.” Are there some things from your season of
difficulties that left behind baggage? Are you carrying that baggage around.
Hebrews 12:1 says, Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us.
These things ensnare us and put a weight on us that we were never meant to carry.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will
give you rest’” (Mt 11:28).
Jesus didn’t say you have to be perfect or have made all the right decisions to see this promise
fulfilled. No, He said, “Come to Me, ALL who are weary and carrying a heavy burden.”
This, my friend, is an awesome exchange. We take all our baggage to Jesus and in exchange He
gives us rest.
Even as I was writing this, the Lord showed me something. Baggage doesn’t have to be an
emotion we are carrying around. It can also be ‘stuff’ we hang onto.
I am not a cluttery person – actually I hate clutter. I consider myself an extremely neat person.
However, as I was writing this article, the Lord reminded me of a chest of drawers I have that has
clothes in it that I haven’t touched in two years. OUCH! He then reminded me of some tubs of
stuff I have in my garage that have been sitting there for about a year. Why do we hang onto stuff
we don’t need? That no longer has use. Or we haven’t seen in years?
Some things are sentimental, I understand that – but some are not. Some are things we need to let
go of. I stopped writing and grabbed a bag. I went through those drawers and threw ninety
percent of it in a bag to take to Goodwill. As I did that, I realized that most of it I thought I
should hold onto ‘just in case.’ Just in case of what? Isn’t the root cause of that statement trust or
a lack of trust? Trusting in God to provide what I need in the future.
I don’t know if this speaks to you or not, but it certainly speaks to me. I feel it is a time and a
season of clearing out the baggage. It doesn’t matter if that baggage is emotional or clutter that
has piled up in your life. Whatever it is, it is time to clear it out and let it go.
Perhaps you are carrying around sorrow or grief from the loss of a loved one. Maybe you are
carrying around anger and bitterness because you have been treated badly by someone. Or
maybe you are harboring resentment concerning your children or spouse. If any of these are true
it is time to let it go, once and for all.
Jesus said… COME TO ME. That is the first step.
Then, cast all your cares upon Him. Lay your baggage at His feet.
I recently read a story about a little boy who told his parents he was running away. He packed his
bag and headed out to the edge of their yard. It wasn’t too long until he returned home. His
parents asked him what happened. He replied, “I think I could have made it if it wasn’t for my
heavy baggage.” Truer words were never spoken.
Perhaps we could all make it to our destination if we didn’t carry around heavy baggage we were
never meant to carry. Remember, it is ONLY baggage if you choose to carry it around. Refuse to
carry it another moment. Lay it at the feet of Jesus and walk free.
