The Holy Paradox: Cast, Commit, and Keep Walking
Pressure Won't Crush You When You Commit To His Ways
What does it mean to cast our burdens on God?
How do we do that while staring down real pressure and uncertainty?
No kidding—here I am.
Right now, there’s a lot on my shoulders.
Pressure to provide financially.
Pressure to respond to tenants breaking their lease, and asking us to waive the entire financial obligation.
Pressure to be patient as contracting jobs delay.
Pressure to find a church home.
Pressure to navigate 30 straight days of middle-of-the-night wake ups from our almost three-year-old.
Pressure to train for an upcoming 30-mile race and a 100-miler, despite being injured.
Pressure to build a business in the slivers of free time between raising three kids.
And I know I’m not the only one.
You may be carrying different burdens, but the pressure?
It’s real for all of us.
That’s where Psalm 68 enters for me. A random chapter in a book in that Bible that met me exactly where I was at.
I hope it will do the same for you.
THREE PSALMS — THREE STONES FOR THE BURDENED
My blue chair is a sacred space.
It’s where I sit each morning with a heated blanket across my legs, warming them for the run ahead. A hot cup of green tea with lemon and honey is close by. And on my lap is my cross-reference Bible—the kind that sends me down holy rabbit trails.
Here are the three verses it led me to:
Psalm 68:19 – He bears our burdens daily.
Psalm 55:22 – He sustains us when we cast.
Psalm 37:5 – He acts when we commit our way to Him.
David wasn’t speaking from theory—he was speaking from relationship.
This wasn’t just faith; it was experienced trust.
David had seen God carry him through war, betrayal, loss, failure, and fear. He had stories from his own life and previous generations. He was committed to God's ways, and that commitment built a strong identity—one that couldn’t be shaken by circumstance.
That’s why David could declare with confidence: God carries us.
But how do we cling to that when life clearly isn’t easy?
ENTER THE HOLY PARADOX — THE YOKE AND THE CROSS
Jesus invites us into a divine paradox:
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28–30)
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
Wait—is the burden light or do I carry a cross?
Yes.
The people in Jesus’ day understood the yoke. Farmers would yoke a younger ox with an older, stronger one who could pull most of the weight. Jesus is saying: I’m the strong one. Let Me carry it.
We were never meant to pull alone.
We were never meant to parent, provide, protect, and persevere in our own strength.
But if we clench our fists and grit our teeth to “handle it,” we will burn out.
Solo strength leads to spiritual exhaustion.
However, open hands lead to supernatural power.
When we release the grip, when we surrender to the One beside us, we’ll look back and be stunned at what was plowed. Not because we were strong, but because He carried us.
NEVER FINISHED CHALLENGE: CAST, COMMIT, CONTINUE
What burdens are you carrying right now?
Say them out loud. Write them down. Then release them.
Here’s a practice I use daily:
“Jesus, I cast the burden of ______ onto You. Not because I’m weak, but because You are strong. I release the pressure to be enough—and I receive Your peace, Your yoke, and Your rest.”
You can fill in the blank with:
My tenant leaving
My financial uncertainty
My desire to provide without panic
This injury and my desire to train
This anxiousness I’m afraid to admit or spend time with
And then—keep walking. Keep showing up in His presence. Often, showing up is 99% of the battle.
WHAT DOES TODAY SAY ABOUT GOD?
One word: Present.
He meets me exactly where I am—burdened, tired, hopeful, hurting.
Feelings may rise and fall, but He remains.
And His constancy anchors me when my own strength fails.
Something stronger than electricity lights up my darkness—His presence.
What a Father.
What a Friend.
What a King.
Thank you, Jesus.
Thanks for the read. It makes a difference as we get to know how good our father really is! Always Always with us! What a good good father.