Find freedom from self-imposed burdens. Discover how being weighed down by self-righteousness can hinder your spiritual journey.

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Have you ever met someone who seems angry and weighed down? This often happens when they feel burdened by what they call holiness or righteousness, especially among Christians. The state of the world oppresses them and they tend to be an avenue of correction for everyone around them. They speak more of judgment than the hope found in Jesus. They are bearing a load they were never meant to carry.

Jonah is a perfect example. He was weighed down by his own righteousness and anger at those who were sinning. He didn’t want them to receive grace, only judgment. When God spared them after Jonah’s warning, he had a temper tantrum under a tree.

Self-Imposed Burdens

Some of us carry burdens God never intended for us. As a result, we walk around sad, anxious, overwhelmed, and graceless. We’re hard on ourselves and others, and our hearts become hardened. We may see God as a strict, no-nonsense Deity always frowning upon people, but He’s not like that. It’s not for us to decide who is worthy of God’s grace. The truth is, none of us deserve it.

He came to give us abundant life. It’s Satan who wants to rob you of the joy and happiness God offers through Christ Jesus (John 10:10).

The Pharisees were called out for placing heavy rules on people that they were never meant to bear. They were bound by legalism, which blinded them to the gospel Jesus came to share. In fact, it made them hostile to it because it was too simple!

Much of this oppression comes from a lack of receiving. You may feel so undeserving that you keep God’s love and grace at a distance. And in a sense, you’re right. You don’t deserve the grace God gives us, but He deemed you worthy enough to offer it. He loves you that much. Until you receive His love and mercy, you won’t find peace. Without this peace, you’ll remain hard and angry with yourself and others.

Once you realize your freedom in Christ, joy and peace will follow. This is what God wants for you.

So what can you do? Pray to receive God’s truth into your heart. He is powerful enough to break through the lies of the Enemy. Then, read God’s Word and receive it for yourself—don’t think about everyone else while you read. God’s Word is a book about Him but also a life guide for us. You can’t have one without the other. We can’t have a guide without God’s love and grace woven throughout it.

Dear Father God,
Thank you for the gift of your mercy. Thank you that the righteousness of Jesus is all I need and that I am free to walk in victory and peace. Please help me receive these truths into my heart and allow them to take root. Help me trust that your extravagant love is meant for me as well as for others. I want to live in joy, not with a heavy burden. Please take these lies from me and fill me with your Truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Meditate on this Truth: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. -Galatians 5:1

For further study: Read the book of Jonah.

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