Carrying Extra Baggage

Like many of us, I have a lot of stuff, too much stuff to be honest! I am talking clothes, books, kitchen gadgets, garage tools, office supplies, plants … you name it and I know I have it.

As I reflect on the number of items in my closets, drawers, bookcases and garage, I realize that I can sort through many of them and create piles: piles for keeping, piles for the trash and piles for donations so that they can become someone else’s treasure. However, there are several Rubbermaid tubs stored under the bed in our guest bedroom, which I have moved from my parents’ house to my own and then from one room to another. These boxes sit under the bed like weights around my neck, taunting me to move them to an open space, take off the lids and begin to tackle the overwhelming task of going through family photos, deciding which ones to keep and which ones to toss.

I recently pulled all five tubs from under the bed before they continued to invad my dreams and I began to sort through the photos, making stacks that could easily be made into memory books. Some of the photos even made it into the trash before the photo police arrived and I have not missed them! 

What happens though when we carry around emotional baggage? We are human and it is easy to become upset with a family member, a friend, a co-worker or even the person who blared their car horn at you that morning when you didn’t think you had done anything wrong. Feelings of resentment can simmer overt time. And while these feelings may remain under the surface, they are always there, making you irritable, out of sorts and even angry when you think of the person or incident causing you such grief.

So much energy goes into holding and carrying around this “suitcase” filled with negative emotions that you begin to get dragged down with it. At some point, you realize you are the only person who is upset; the individuals with whom you are mad continue with their own life oblivious to these pent-up emotions you are harboring toward them.

Recognizing that you are holding onto past hurts or offenses makes it much easier to ask God for help in lightening your load and relinquishing your burdens to Him. Psalms 55:22 is the life jacket we all need, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” Ask God for help – that is His job!