Living with the Baggage of Life

We all have baggage in our lives. Your luggage might include painful regrets, absent parents, loneliness, poor choice consequences, directionless lives, or a host of other things.

Life has a way of throwing all of us a curveball at times. Even folks with seemingly perfect lives have issues they still have to deal with at some level. It's part of the human condition.

How do you deal with your baggage? Do you have a little or a lot? Can you carry it in a single hand or do you need a cart? No matter how much baggage your life contains, a little help is always welcome. After all, that stuff gets heavy.

Some people have so much baggage they can hardly seem to function. If it's not one thing, it's another. In comparison most of us would find it difficult to complain about our situations. The truth is, the baggage you carry is important and shapes who you are today as well as whom you will become tomorrow.

Again I ask, “How do you deal with your baggage?” Are you trying to ignore it as you trudge through life? Are you crushed beneath its weight and find it difficult to face each new day? Or are you allowing others to help you with your burdens?

The truth is we can't get through life alone. Sure you could choose to live a relatively solitude life until you reach 70, 80 or even 90 years old, but that is not really living, it's just passing the time. Real life involves people. Real life involves connection. Real life involves intimacy. Do you have real life or are you just passing the time?

Advice on Baggage Handling

Whether you regret some major decisions in your life or you are a victim of a broken family, you don't have to carry that baggage alone. It's not healthy or wise. Here are some tips to consider.

1. Start with your family. Whether you are single, married, have children, or are childless; the members of your family probably know you better than anyone else and most certainly want to be there for you. Obviously there are instances where this is not the case. But for most of us, we have someone in our families that will listen to us and love us unconditionally if given the chance. Consider giving them a chance.

2. Find a friend or two to help you carry your burdens. If you have true friends then you most likely are a true friend yourself. Turn to your friends and honestly and openly share your life with them. A true friend will not judge you and will want to love and support you in any way they can. Let your friends help you with your baggage.

3. Find a small group at your church to join. Many churches have developed small groups for men and women to meet new people and make new friends. It's also a great way to have others of like mind hold you accountable for issues in your life. As you learn to trust the people in your small group you will often find comrades that are willing and able to help you with the baggage you brought to the table. Try a small group and build healing relationships.

4. Allow Jesus to carry your baggage. There is no one better at understanding or dealing with our baggage than the Lord Jesus. He is often the last one we turn to because of shame, guilt, pride, or a host of other sinful reasons. Yes, I said sinful. When we are separated from Jesus it is always because of our sinful choices. He should be our first defense against the baggage (or lies) that keeps us from living. Our sin keeps us from the One source of help that can truly lighten our loads. Ask Jesus to help you and then truly allow Him to lift the burdens from your life.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He wants to give you rest from your baggage if you will only ask. But you must stop clinging to your baggage handles or grasping onto your baggage wheels. We've all heard the phrase “Let go and let God.” It all begins with “let”. Accept the help that is waiting for you. If you will only ask and “let” God do what He does best you will see changes in your life.

All that being said, make Jesus your Number One Baggage Carrier. Go to Him first for the real help. Get right with Jesus and your perspective will change. Your heart will lighten and you will find that you may be the one ministering to family and friends instead of the other way around. That in itself is bound to lighten your baggage burden.