Lay aside every weight…

What is the weight that hinders and how do we lay it aside?

• A weight is a burden that hinders.

Lay aside every weight…

• The most common weight we bear is a wound.

Lay aside every weight…

• Often we find ourselves focused on the wound and wonder where God is…like Job.

Job 23:8-10 8 "Look, I go forward, but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; 9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.

When we perceive God is not with us, we:

• Try to cope.• Try to fix it.

When we perceive God is not with us, we:

• These tactics only serve to add more weight that hinders. Bitterness, anger, regret, jealousy, are ways Satan can get a foothold in our lives.

• The rest of the verse in Job reads:

10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job reveals a truth about trials:

• Even though God may not be seen, God knows what is going on.

• Job also indicates an answer to “why” God may allow the trial. Trials can be a test of faith. And the trial has the effect like that of purifying Gold…

Purifying gold

1 Peter 1:6-9 6 In this you greatly rejoice,

though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

The truth Job reveals is also found in 1 Peter and James

7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold …, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

James 1:2-4 2 My brethren, count it all joy

when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your

faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect

work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

• You cannot change what happened. But you can lay aside the weight the wound gives you the opportunity to carry around.

Laying aside…

• When the wound is something hurtful done to us by another, the act of laying aside is called forgiveness.

Laying aside…

• When the wound is an unmet expectation or one of life’s disappointments: Remember the testing of your faith produces patience leading you to completeness.

Laying aside…

Lay aside the wounds you carry