Trust God with What We Cannot Control
In Matthew 11:25-30, Jesus gives us one of the most comforting invitations in all of Scripture:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Every one of us carries burdens. Some are worried about their marriage. Some are worried about their children, finances, health, our country, or simply what tomorrow may bring. Jesus does not say, “Come to me, and I will remove every problem.” In this life, there will always be struggles. Instead, He says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”
The burden may remain, but Christ promises that we will not carry it alone.
So how do we experience that rest, especially in a world filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and the daily difficulties of marriage, family, work, and vocation?
First, we must remember who we are. St. Paul reminds us that we have received the Spirit of God. We are not made only for this world. We are eternal beings, created for heaven and made to be with God forever.
Many of our anxieties come from trying to make this life our final destination. We think that if we could fix every family problem, elect the right leaders, find the right doctor, or solve every difficulty in front of us, then everything would finally be okay. But no one can fix the world completely. Not a politician, not a doctor, not a scientist, not a priest, not a bishop, and not even the pope.
That does not mean those things do not matter. They do. We should still work to build holy marriages, raise faithful children, seek justice, and care for the people around us. But we must do those things knowing that our ultimate hope is not in this world. Our hope is in God.
When we keep eternity before our eyes, the burdens of life begin to feel lighter.
The second way to find rest is through holy detachment. This can be difficult to hear, but it is true: our children do not belong to us. Our spouse does not belong to us. We do not even belong to ourselves. Everything belongs to God, because everything was created by Him.
Much of our anxiety comes from trying to control what was never ours to control. Parents worry endlessly about their children. Husbands and wives worry about each other. We fear the future because, deep down, we begin to believe that everything depends on us.
But it does not.
We are called to control what we can. Raise your children in the faith. Teach them to go to Mass, make good decisions, and avoid what leads them away from God. Love your spouse faithfully. Treat them as your equal. Sacrifice for them. Go to Mass together. Show each other how to trust in God.
Then place them back into God’s hands.
Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you.” A yoke is made for two. Christ never intended us to carry life’s burdens alone. His burden is light because He carries the greater weight.
Whatever burden you are carrying, whether it is in your marriage, your family, your children, your future, our country, or the world, bring it to Christ. Control what you can, and give the rest to God.
Remember that you were made for eternity. Remember that everything you love ultimately belongs to God. And when we stop trying to control everything and begin trusting the One who truly is in control, we finally discover the peace and rest that Jesus promises.
Father James Schibi, Pastor