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We have all experienced the love of God in sending His Son to fulfil this fast on earth for us and to undo the heavy burden of our sin through His sacrifice on the cross. Isaiah wrote that Jesus as Saviour broke every yoke. He saved us from that oppression when He ascended back to the Father’s throne and took the captivity captive. Psalm 68:18 Ephesians 4:8 “Wherefore he saith, THOU HAS ASCENDED ON HIGH, THOU HAST LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE: THOU HAST RECEIVED GIFTS FOR MEN; YEA, FOR THE REBELLIOUS ALSO, THAT THE LORD GOD MIGHT DWELL AMONG THEM”.

Do we realise that we can also look to Him to help with the internal version of oppression sweeping the world in these distressful times?

Living in an imperfect world means we will always be subject to some form of stress. Stress can either be good or bad depending on whether the pressure experienced causes us to respond with extra effort or results in distress. Something under pressure is stressed but when that pressure nears breaking point, we say an object is distressed. As a result of distress, it can be crushed or break.

God has promised to never allow anything to be placed upon us that we will not be able to bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

All around us we hear of the weight of oppression upon individuals which is now known as depression and it keeps many people pushed down. In the simplest form, depression relates to things that have happened in the past. This means it generally is something we carry that cannot be changed and the only solution therefore is to unload it onto Christ. He has offered to bear it for us, Matthew 11:28-29, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Similarly, anxiety is predominantly a result of concern about things that may happen in the future. The Lord as our prophet is the only one who knows what is best for our future. He has asked us to trust Him and live our best life each day ‘in Him’. Matthew 6:34, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself, Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.“

Regardless, our human nature and its frailties are well known to the Lord. He has made us as we are and experienced the weakness of our flesh. It is for this reason that our strength must come from Him. Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”