Much of our world today is in turmoil. Coming on the heels of the pandemic, many of us are feeling depressed. We are weighed down with worries and fears for the future.

When reading the news and thinking of the load of cares being described, I began to consider the relative weight of emotions.

We talk about worry and grief as being heavy, while happiness and joy make us lighthearted. So, I pictured these emotions as brass weights lined up beside a scale. The heaviest weight must be grief, but guilt and shame can be equally as hard to bear. As we move along the rack of weights, we see fears and worries which range from heavy to light, but which can overwhelm us when piled up. Floating above the shelf we see the emotions of love, joy, peace, contentment. These defy gravity and may be used to lift us up and help us cope with our burden of care.

Feeling depressed by worry? Add a bit of faith. Weighed down by guilt and shame? Grasp hold of forgiveness and love to bring your emotional scale back into balance.

Musing on my little fantasy, it was as though I heard a voice reminding me that no matter how heavy my burden of care may be, I don’t need to carry it. In fact, when Jesus died on the cross, he paid the price for all of our burdens. That guilt and shame I clutch to my bosom so tightly belongs to Him. All I am required to do is put it down at the foot of the cross and walk away.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)