Leave It At The Cross

Maggie Shumpert

MA, LPC

7/14/2025

I’ve often wondered why we as humans struggle so much with feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed (the list could go on and on). This seems especially difficult in the Christian faith. See, as Christians, we are quick to tell others to “leave it at the cross”, but what we don’t say is “don’t pick it back up!”

When we leave our baggage at the cross, we are never meant to pick it back up and continue on our way, trying to figure out how to manage life with this heavy load. The truth is, we can never manage this load alone, but He can!

Please don’t think I am saying “just pray a little harder” and your anxiety will go away. I am a firm believer that God can and does use other people in our healing journey; a therapist, a psychiatrist, or even a furry friend. What I am saying is that if we can let go of our sense of control over things and fully give them to God, our burden is much lighter. It may take other steps to find full healing, but the first step is to lessen your load.

The Bible is full of scriptures that can bring peace in troubled times, but one of my favorites is: Matthew 11:28. It says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I don’t know about you, but rest is delightful in this busy world we live in.

The next time you are feeling overwhelmed and burdened by your situation and life circumstances, try to remember that God is waiting with open arms to carry your load for you. All you have to do is leave it at the cross.