The Cure for the Pain

July 4, 2011 | 25 comments

I’ve felt that old familiar feeling — the anxiety swelling in the deep of me.

On days like these — if you look close — you would know. You would see it in my slumped shoulders, my slow steps, my eyes. Yes, you’d see it in the eyes.

You know that feeling, too? You’ve felt the crick in the neck when you wear the weight of your own world?

Psst … I know the cure. The Doctor is in — even on a holiday. I found the prescription in the words of Christ.

“Come to me,
all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…”
— Matthew 11:28-29

All are invited to lay down their back-breaking burdens at the cross of Christ. Shall we go there? Shall we pick up the easy yoke, the one lined with love? I’m in!

Here we may find rest for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial, and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest. …

— Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary 

by | July 4, 2011 | 25 comments

25 Comments

  1. Megan Willome

    I really love your photo of the cows grazing around the crosses. Cows don’t have the answers. They don’t know the price of beef. They eat and eat and seek shade and trust the farmer. And the cross overshadows all.

    Reply
    • Lyla Lindquist

      Cows don’t know the price of beef. Can I write that down? Love this, Megan.

      Reply
    • dukeslee

      I often think that one of the richest parts of blogging can be found in the comment section. Case. In. Point.

      Grateful for the way you see things, Megan.

      Reply
  2. Kim Harbath

    Thanks so much for your blog today on this 4th of July in our wonderful country. My dad is having some health issues and your insight came at just the right time.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Kim,

      I am so sorry about your Dad’s health issues. And I pray tonight that the Great Physician would come to His aid.

      Sending prayers to Him, and love to you…

      Reply
  3. Sheila Lagrand

    Jennifer,
    Thank you for reminding me that the cure is right with me. Indwelling, even.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Yes! That’s it exactly. The indwelt Cure. Love to you, Sheila…

      Reply
  4. Lyla Lindquist

    I’d like to see the eyes, considering it enough to hear it in the voice. And I’ve heard it.

    Praying you some rest from the ill-fitting yoke, the one with your whole world’s weight, as you slip on that easy one instead, the one that let Him do the heavy lifting.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      You know what your prayers have meant. Thank you for that. Thank you for hearing my voice, even when you can’t see the eyes.

      Reply
  5. Candy

    It’s been a heavy-yoke kind of week or two, and I really needed these words today. Thanks, Jennifer. I’m in, too.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Let’s jump together, shall we? Praying for you tonight, Candy …

      Reply
  6. Keith Roghair

    This just brightened my day..alot.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      God bless you, Keith. Miss you… Hope all is well. I’m looking forward to seeing how God’s plan unfolds in your life. Shoot me an email sometime.

      Reply
  7. Solveig Engh

    My heart has gone out to you as you’ve written about your family’s double tragedy. Today you’ve demonstrated that comfort for others always comes through the comfort we’ve received from the Lord. Blessings, Jennifer. So true that we don’t have the answers, but we do have His comfort.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Solveig … Thank you so much for your words in this place today. Thank you for sharing a bit of your heart with us … for caring, for praying, for just being here to listen.

      Reply
  8. Alleluiabelle

    I love you dear friend…

    You always touch my heart and soul when I come here. This post reached in to the core of me this day. I’ve been so weary for oh so long.

    Thank you…

    {{{Alleluiabelle}}}

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Alleluiabelle … Your soul radiates Christ’s Spirit. Friend, you have endured much. Even so, you shine. And oh, oh, oh … how you reflect your Father!

      Reply
  9. Kelly Sauer

    A sigh of relief today…

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Sighing here too … Deep and long. And it feels good to just let the air out slow, making room for Spirit-breath to fill in the empty places.

      Reply
  10. laura

    Such a favorite and needed scripture! Praying the refreshing of the weary for you, sweet friend. And I absolutely love those worshiping bovines too!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      I love how God can put a fresh twist on an old favorite, you know?

      Thank you, Laura…

      Reply
  11. Kathy Schwanke

    This has been my week’s verse…LOVE Him giving the food everywhere I turn!!!

    The connectedness, and the following equals trust and rest. But it must be fought for because of our eyes and where they look so easily.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • dukeslee

      Yes, Kathy … It must be fought for. So true, so true. The eyes can betray us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter.

      Thank you, friend, for your words.

      Reply
  12. Beth E.

    Oh, Jennifer…you have no idea how much I needed these words this day! I have a big ol’ crick in my neck, beating myself up over a big mistake I made. Chalk it up to wedding frenzy, but I forgot something – someone – very important in the midst of all the planning. I’m afraid I’ve hurt this person’s feelings, and though it was unintentional I am feeling horrible about it. Ugh.

    Working right now on letting go of it…it’s too big for me to handle, but not too big for God.

    Reply
  13. Jennifer@Adam's Rib

    This is touching today, Jennifer. Funny how I’ve been poking around Matthew Henry’s Commentary, too, enthralled by the poetry that man sometimes speaks.

    I do wonder how much Creation “knows”–of their Creator, of Christ, of the cross.

    Reply

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