With trembling hands, my mother pinned sheets and towels to the clothesline. The linens swayed in the summer breeze. Tears streamed down her face.
Even though my age was in the single digits at the time, this memory remains vivid over fifty years later. My sweet, tender-hearted mother sobbing from my father’s verbal abuse.
My siblings and I, also, fell victim to his harsh tongue, all of us warped in various ways as we entered adulthood.
I remained in fear of my father for most of my life.
In response, I became an over-achiever, obsessed with perfection, and determined to be in control as much as possible.
This burden negatively affected my relationships.
I promised myself that no man would treat me like my father did my mother.
My relationships with men were troubled and, most often, short-lived.
Do you carry heavy burdens that negatively affect your relationships? These 5 steps will help you let go of your burdens and lay them at Jesus’ feet.In my thirties, while advancing my career and being a mother of two, my second marriage was unraveling.
My fear and pride were joining forces to destroy another marriage.
For the first time, I recognized that I needed to change.
My insistence on being in charge—making all decisions based on my own desires—had created a life of misery for my family and me.
The burden was too heavy for me to carry so I gave it to Jesus.
In today’s article, I’ll share five steps I learned to help you let go of your burdens.
5 Steps to Let Go of Your Burdens & Lay Them At Jesus’ Feet
1. Recognize we all carry a burden.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 NIV
Rather than strive for perfection and continually set and achieve new goals, we can find our self-worth in our identity in Christ.
But, in order to do so, we must admit our sin, turn away from our idols (such as fear, pride, control), and ask for the Lord to change our hearts.
Do you carry a burden that is affecting your joy or the happiness of others?
Spend time with the Lord.
Ask Him to reveal the harm your sin or choices are bringing to others, or the toll of the burden you’re carrying.
Trust the Lord to bring healing and restoration.
Do you carry a burden that is affecting your joy or the happiness of others? Here’s how to let go of your burdens.2. Seek help.
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13 NIV
The Holy Spirit, a gift and promise from our Lord, lives within us and will guide us to truth.
Counseling and therapy are proven and effective interventions for childhood and adult trauma.
Additionally, Bible study with a group of faithful women can be a healing tool.
The process of reflection, discernment, and developing trust in God doesn’t happen overnight.
With consistent Bible study, time with God, and prayer, we can move toward deeper intimacy with Christ.
The support of loving family, friends, and Bible study participants facilitates the healing journey and helps you let go of your burdens.
As we allow God to mend our hearts, we experience the depths of God’s love and His faithfulness to hear our call for help.
3. Develop a strategy to release the burden.
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100:5 NIV
Once we admit we possess a burden, we should develop a plan to release it.
These four steps can help:
- Write down the burden, along with your thoughts and reflections.
- Share the burden with your support group (counselor, friend, pastor, Bible study group).
- Delve deeper into God’s Word, Bible study, and prayer. As we immerse ourselves in God’s presence, we can replace lies with God’s truth.
- Make a conscious decision to embrace God’s faithfulness.
God’s faithfulness lasts forever and will sustain us as we move toward restoration.
God’s faithfulness lasts forever and will sustain us as we move toward restoration.4. Submit fully to the Lord.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded… Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.” – James 4:7-10 NIV
Before I realized the burden of pride and the fear of not being in control was destroying my marriage, I recognized my misery.
Through the love of women from my Bible study, Scripture reading, and confessing my sins to God, the long process of submission was ignited.
It takes courage to admit we’re wrong, and that we—not someone else—need to change.
Even more strength is required to humble ourselves before the Lord, and admit we cannot accomplish this battle without His strength.
5. Repeat as necessary.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7-8 NIV
We don’t have one specific cause or episode of burdens. Worry, anger, fear, and other issues arise each day.
Learning how to let go of your burdens is a lifelong journey.
When we slip, or a heavy load settles back on our shoulders, we must repeat the process of submission:
- Recognize the burden.
- Seek help.
- Develop a strategy to release it.
- Submit fully to the Lord.
Just as my heavenly Father answered my prayers, guided me as I struggled on the path of submission, blessed my efforts to change, and saved my marriage, He’s big enough to do the same for you.
God can help you let go of your burdens.
Our Savior is always listening. He’ll hear your call for help.
– Katherine Pasour
Katherine Pasour is an author, teacher, farmer, and speaker. Her writing focuses on faith, wellness, and the lessons nature teaches. Katherine believes we should nurture all aspects of wellness in service to our Lord. Her Bible study, “Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle,” was published in 2022. Connect with Katherine on Instagram.
