Whether you are in college, pursuing a career, or in a career, at times we are weary and burdened. I don’t know the pure statistics, but a lot of our generation suffers from depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness. It may be due to a work issue or possibly a family situation. If you are in college it may be testing or a presentation, maybe even a fear of failure. We also have social sides of anxiety such as the full spectrum of relationships.

This is another topic that is close to my heart; as i have written before, I have felt this weariness. Worry is a wasted emotion as a lot of people have told me, but it still doesn’t help to hear that; as humans we still worry. I am doing the right thing? Is my boyfriend/girlfriend right for me? So many questions can be micromanaged to the point that it can make you go crazy. I urge you to look toward the heavens and shout out to the Lord for he will give you all the strength you need. Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I don’t claim to be a expert on this topic, but I do have a understanding.

I can say that in my 27 years, I have gone through the spectrum of anxiety and the understanding of how we can push through things with God’s help. Optimism is a great defense for anxiety. Obviously reading and prayer are other key components to success as well. You need to maintain a good attitude and be able to flow with the ups and downs in life. I’m here to say that without my Savior these past few years, I have no idea where I would be and what state of mind I would be in. Oh yes, I am getting personal here cause I know it is needed.

We all have these burdens on our back. We have pains and sufferings. We have storms, but what we need to realize is that in the burdens, we have light. In those pains and sufferings we have joy. In those storms, we have sunshine. Jesus died for us and has taken this darkness and turned it into light. Again I repeat He says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I know if I were sitting in front of you right now the word that would be coming out of your mouth would be “Amen”.

I am but one brother in Christ knowing that storms are going to come up, pain will come and in the pain so will suffering, but I cannot let these things worry and paralyze me. I cannot let this overpower me. I am strong enough to know that when the storm is over, there is a sign of hope. We don’t have to worry, my friends. We have a compass (Jesus). We have a map (the Bible). No matter where this storm may take us, we know where we are going, and we are full steam ahead, striving to get there and find our place with the Savior who has taken away these burdens. I promise you that these burdens may never go away till that fine day, but I will tell you this: if you fix your eyes on our Savior, he can do amazing things in and through you . The call to action here is to pray for those who have this…pray for those who will get this and pray for the strength our friends, family, and leadership - that we may remain strong in the faith.