If I had the opportunity to give my younger self some good advice, I’d say: “Be patient. Don’t try so hard to prove yourself. Be more committed to who you’re becoming in the process of all you are doing.”

Sadly, we’ve all seen examples of people who’ve achieved something great but have messed up their lives in the process. Maybe you’ve been there, and now you’re choosing a different way of living.

Jesus wants us to become more like Him. This means growing spiritually – becoming bigger and more resilient on the inside. The expansion of our inner beings (often referred to as our hearts in the Bible) equips us to handle all that God has planned for each of us. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Yesterday, we looked at running the right race, the one God has set before us. Today, we’re going to delve a little deeper into what it takes to run this race well. Since it’s a race that lasts a lifetime, it requires patience, resilience, and a commitment to look inwards and deal with our issues so that we don’t become weighed down by them. Hebrews 12:1 says that we need to throw off “every encumbrance” as well as “the sin that so easily entangles”.

God wants us to travel lightly. So what do we do with all our extra baggage? In Matthew 11:28 (AMPC), Jesus invites us to bring it to Him: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]”

Unburdening ourselves with Jesus is freeing. When we tell Him openly and honestly what weighs us down and what tries to trip us up, we’re inviting Him into our struggles. And God goes where He’s invited. This is the tipping point where He can show us a better way forward and empower us to do things His way through the Holy Spirit. In fact, Jesus promises: “Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:30 MSG).

It’s helpful to ask yourself: what baggage from the past am I still carrying that I need to let go of? What sins or entanglements are holding me back? Maybe you’re angry or bitter about the injustices and disappointments of life. Maybe you need to forgive some people. Maybe you’re battling insecurity and you’re striving to constantly prove your worth. Maybe greed, lust, or envy has a hold on you.

I encourage you to bring those burdens to God in a conversational prayer. Make this your daily habit. Unburdening ourselves before God is also a lifelong journey. David wrote about pouring out his heart to God, encouraging us to do the same in Psalms 62:8 (NIV): “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”

We can go to God anytime, anywhere, no matter what. Hebrews 4:16 (MSG) says: “So let’s walk right up to Him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”

It’s also beneficial to share your struggles and burdens with a trustworthy friend, who can pray with you and support you. Having a trusted friend to talk to can be a game changer. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) says: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Bible Reading (NLT):