The Heavy Burdens You’re Carrying—and How Jesus Says to Let Them Go
The Worst Part of Vacation
My family and I just returned from a wonderful vacation where we cruised the Caribbean. Our 7 day trip allowed us to see the beautiful waters of the Bahamas while swimming with stingrays, explore Grand Turk Island on a golf cart while visiting a lighthouse and feeding wild donkeys, and play with monkeys in the jungles of the Dominica Republic. We ate as much as we wanted without ever having to prepare a meal. We never had to clean our room. We enjoyed concerts, shows, and entertainment all week on and off ship. Our family had a blast!
But there is one portion of vacation, whether it is a cruise or not, that I hate. Luggage! From packing (over packing) to carrying to bags across the hundreds of yards of space, it is horrible. I am still waiting to become rich enough to buy disposable outfits that I can just purchase and then discard wherever I travel.
My 5’2” wife and teenage daughter only understand a portion of the struggle. When they can’t roll their 50-60 pound suitcase up a few steps, I get the honor. When the bags need to get put up into the rear of the car, that is my privilege too. When one bag doesn’t have wheels and has to be carried; that’s my shoulder that gets to enjoy the workout. I am not sure if you’re aware, but carrying 60lbs on your shoulder while navigating security and crowds across 300+ yards is a little bit of a challenge.
If it weren’t for that darn luggage, the past week would have been nearly perfect.
Packing Light: Shedding the Burdens that Weigh Us Down
I’ve never met a traveler who enjoyed lugging around an overstuffed suitcase. Overpacking seems like a good idea at first—you want to be prepared for every situation. But halfway through a trip, when you’re dragging a heavy bag through an airport or cramming it into a tiny cruise cabin, you start to regret bringing so much. Add to that the little purchases and souvenirs that you add along the way, and it adds up fast. The extra weight slows you down, makes travel less enjoyable, and often includes things you never even use.
Life works the same way. Many of us are carrying things that God never intended for us to bear—guilt from past mistakes, fear of the unknown, stress over things we can’t control. And just like an overloaded suitcase, these burdens weigh us down and keep us from experiencing the joy and freedom that Christ offers.
Jesus Calls Us to Travel Light
One of the most beautiful invitations in Scripture comes from Jesus Himself:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)
Jesus isn’t offering to add another burden to our shoulders—He’s offering to take them off. He doesn’t say, “Try harder” or “Figure it out on your own.” Instead, He invites us to trade our heavy baggage for the peace and rest that only He can give.
A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that fits over the necks of two animals to pull a plow or cart. It is what divides the burden of a plow between two animals. When Jesus invites us to take his yoke upon us, He is telling us that He is willing to do the heavy lifting and work. Those who are yoked with Him will find their burden is ‘light”.
In Hebrews 12:1, we’re encouraged to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The imagery here is powerful. A runner doesn’t load up with extra gear before a race. They strip away everything unnecessary so they can move freely. Likewise, we need to recognize what’s weighing us down spiritually and let it go.
What’s in Your Suitcase?
If you’ve ever packed for a trip and realized your bag won’t close, you have two options: force it shut and struggle with the weight, or take things out and travel lighter. The same principle applies to life. Let’s take a glance at a few common burdens and what Scripture says about them:
Guilt Over the Past
We’ve all made mistakes, but carrying guilt around is like packing bricks in your suitcase. If God has forgiven you, why are you still holding onto it?
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
“as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
Don’t let guilt from yesterday steal the joy of today. When Jesus forgives, He wipes the slate clean.
Fear of the Future
Fear is one of the heaviest burdens we carry. What if things don’t work out? What if I fail? What if I’m not enough? But Jesus reminds us that worry doesn’t add a single hour to our lives (Matthew 6:27).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God is already in your tomorrow. Trust Him with what’s ahead.The Pressure to Please People
Many of us live under the weight of other people’s expectations. We work tirelessly to gain approval, but the truth is, we will never please everyone. The good news? We don’t have to.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
Live for an audience of One. God’s approval matters far more than anyone else’s.
How to Unpack and Let Go
Knowing we need to let go of burdens is one thing. Actually doing it is another. Here are three steps to help you unpack the extra weight you’ve been carrying:
Confess and Surrender
Some burdens are too heavy to carry alone. The good news? You don’t have to.
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Be honest with God about what’s weighing you down. He already knows—He’s just waiting for you to hand it over.Renew Your Mind
What we dwell on determines how we live. If we constantly replay negative thoughts, we’ll stay burdened. But when we replace lies with God’s truth, we experience freedom.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Fill your mind with Scripture and remind yourself daily of who you are in Christ.Walk in Community
God didn’t design us to carry burdens alone. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you, pray for you, and remind you of God’s truth.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
We weren’t meant to do life alone. Find people who will help you travel light.
The Freedom of Traveling Light
There’s something freeing about stepping onto a cruise ship with only the essentials. No unnecessary weight. No stress over things you don’t need. Just the excitement of the journey ahead.
The same is true in our walk with Christ. Jesus didn’t save us so we could be weighed down with stress, fear, and guilt. He saved us to walk in freedom.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
So, what’s in your suitcase? What’s one thing you need to unpack today? Jesus is inviting you to travel light. Will you take Him up on the offer?