People today carry great burdens. We carry the wandering of a child. The loss of a parent. The abuse of a spouse. We watch as addiction takes hold of our child or other family member and cannot do anything to help them. We long to break free from our own addiction and burdens but cannot seem to break the chains that tie us down.  

These burdens are sometimes invisible, and we carry them in secret never letting on they are there. But when we are alone, we give full vent to them. The result is high anxiety, high blood pressure, sometimes substance abuse and even worse when we cannot see the end, suicide. Let me assure you this is not what God ever intended for humans. If you are struggling with substance abuse or thoughts of suicide, there is help available. For free 24/7 help call 988 or visit  www.988lifeline.org.  

Our hymn today highlights that we do have Someone to turn to in those dark moments. It was written by a Methodist minister who wrote hymns as recreation. He was to have written over five hundred hymns. Here is the third verse of “Just When I Need Him Most,”   

Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong, 
Bearing my burdens all the day long; 
For all my sorrow giving a song, 
Just when I need Him most. 

https://hymnary.org/text/just_when_i_need_him_jesus_is_near_just

This verse is just as appropriate for us now as when it was written. It assures us that Jesus is strong and gives us a song for our sorrow. No matter what our circumstance or what we are going through Jesus is there waiting for us to come to Him.  

The Bible is replete with those who have gone before us who thought their life was done and there was no other option for them. Remember Jonah, after he preached to the Ninevites and they repented? What did he do? He found a shady leaf and sat under it and pouted. When the leaf was eaten by a worm, he was ready to die until God intervened. What about Elijah? Jezebel was determined to kill him. He was convinced he was the only prophet of God left until God revealed to him there was over 400 prophets who had never bowed the knee to Baal. David? After he sinned with Bathsheba, she gave birth to his child and the child became sick. He prayed for the child’s life and refused food and drink. So much so that his servants were afraid to tell him the child had died. We could continue with many other examples of those who walked in sorrow and grief until God stepped in and changed their thinking. 

Maybe you need some personal verses to get you through your day and situation. Here are a few, as always these are from the New American Standard Version,  

Psalm 46:1 

God is our refuge and strength, 
A very ready help in trouble. 

And, 

Psalm 68:19 

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God who is our salvation. 

And still,

Psalm 55:22 

Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; 
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. 

And again, 

1 Peter 5:7 

…cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. 

And lastly, 

Isaiah 46:4 

Even to your old age I will be the same, 
And even to your graying years I will carry you! 
I have done it, and I will bear you; 
And I will carry you and I will save you. 

No matter what your age or situation, Jesus is ready and more than able to meet you in the middle of your burden and carry you and bear your burden and give you peace. There are many other instances and verses to support this. The ones I have listed are only a few jumping off points. I encourage you to meditate on these and search out others to meditate on if your burden is heavy and your days are dark. Let me further and more importantly urge you to accept Jesus as your Savior. He paid the price for your sins and is ready to receive you; come to him today.  

Your situation will not immediately change. You will still have to walk through dark days and hard times, but you will have an inner peace and strength that only comes from knowing Jesus. He will bring you through whatever your situation. He is strong and wants to bear your burdens and in the middle of your trial he will give you a song for your sorrow, Just when you need him most.  

All for One 

Angela