Daily Devotions Thursday March 17

I’d encourage you to take time to read about the men who were walking along the road and met up with Jesus.  They did not recognize him at the time.  They were clearly disheartened.  I love how the Passion Translation puts His words to them:  Jesus said to them, “You seem to be in a deep discussion about something. What are you talking about, so sad and gloomy?” 

Check the scripture out here: 
https://my.bible.com/bible/1849/LUK.24.17-18  
In this scripture, He was not minimizing their pain, but He was asking them about it.  I guess I do understand these men’s viewpoint:  They had always thought the Messiah would come in Majestic form and would basically overthrow the oppressors of their people. To have Jesus crucified and buried had to have been devastating. They likely had lost hope and were walking around stunned and unable to really believe what had happened.  Jesus wanted to see their reaction before He revealed Himself.  
I was thinking that sometimes that is the case in my life.  I see this MOUNTAIN of a problem and I cannot see that there is help available to me.  If I just look past my frustration and heartbreak, it’s there. I feel like there are times that I truly do not allow God into my struggles (why? I don’t think He can help?!? I’d rather hold it all on  my own?!?).  I suspect I’m not the only one who does this.  
Growing up, I carried my burdens myself. I wanted to let them go and talk to others about them,but that was not a tool I’d ever been taught to employ.  I know that as an adult I often revert back to that practice.  I have to consciously make the decision to give it to God.  I remember during one very difficult time in my life with a very dear loved one, I literally pictured myself holding this person in my arms and handing them to God. I had no other recourse in this situation and I needed a very concrete visual to help me remember that I was not in charge of this situation.  Some days I used that visual multiple times because it was so helpful. 
God wants to know when we are gloomy and sad and He wants to walk the road with us.  He will always pick up the load and walk alongside if we really look for Him. 

​Meghan (originally published in 2021)