Alva Review-Courier -

Human suffering. In our world of internet and television, we are exposed to scenes of human suffering daily. We look around and see so many struggling with sorrow and pain. It is overwhelming at times. Pastors have a front row to human suffering. So many times I have heard people scream, beg, cry out, “Pastor, please make the pain stop!” Pastors are just humans. We cannot make the pain stop. Often we are just as you – lost, confused and struggling with what words to say. But there is One who we can direct people to – our Lord Jesus Christ!

Consider His words in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” He called out to the broken-hearted. He reached out a hand to the fallen. He offers the most well-timed, soothing words to a crushed heart. Jesus offers hope to those who are searching to make the pain stop.

First, Jesus tells us to identity your condition. He stated, “all ye that labour and are heavy laden.” Take a look at your life now. It’s not what you wish it would be, not what you lied to yourself about. We are all labored. We are exhausted. We continuously chase things that offer no comfort or help. We are tired. Jesus called us heavy laden. We are carrying too much baggage, struggling with things we cannot carry, and just trying to keep ourselves standing. It helps us to take a long look at the pain and conditions we are in. We come to the truth. We are really helpless and hopeless, but that is exactly where God wants us. It is at that moment of acknowledgment that we can begin a journey out of the pain and hurt.

Next, Jesus invites us to come to Him: “Come unto me … and I will give you rest.” The hope Jesus offers is not some plan or procedure. Jesus tells us to come to HIM. We are not talking about religion. We are not talking about dead traditions. We are talking about the Living One, The King, The Savior! Jesus came to this world of pain and hurt to provide us a way to be rescued out of our self-made pits of pain. Have you come to Christ? Do you know Him?

As we come to Christ we discover that now we must learn of Christ. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart ….” We must realize that our ways of living life have to change. Our old ways without Christ offers no comfort or consolation. When you come to Christ and start to follow Him, you will discover the new life He offers. Christians are not exempt from pain and suffering, but we are walking in the ways of our Savior, and His abiding presence in this new life is a comfort to our souls.

Jesus tells us, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” As I discover this new life in Christ, I begin to realize that with Christ all things are better. I would rather have His yoke than Satan’s pain-filled yoke. I would rather carry His light burden than to carry the burdensome weights I made for myself. In Christ, God offers us a far better way to live and cope than I can ever find without Him.

Jesus reminded us that “… ye shall find rest unto your souls.” This rest is twofold. We find peace in Christ that is sufficient for every storm of life. He will not leave us or forsake us. It is His presence that gives us rest. There is rest to come for all who have trusted Christ. There is a day coming that pain will be swallowed up of life everlasting. There will be a day of no more pain and tears. The only way to that resting place is through Christ.

Are you sick of trying to handle the pain of life on your own?

Have you trusted Christ as Savior? Do you know Him? Is He a part of your life?

Have you come to a place in your life that you are ready to leave the pain behind and follow Him?

Are you living life as He has instructed to do?

Why carry the pain any longer? Come to Him TODAY!