Carrying Too Much

Have you ever carried a backpack that slowly became heavier without you noticing? At first, it feels manageable. You keep walking, shifting it on your shoulders. But over time the weight presses down. Your steps slow. Your back tightens. Your breath shortens. What once felt light now feels unbearable, not because the backpack suddenly changed, but because you’ve been carrying it for too long.

That’s how anxiety often works in our lives. It doesn’t arrive all at once. It builds quietly; expectations here, worries there, responsibilities added one by one. We tell ourselves we can handle it. We keep going. But eventually, the weight becomes too much. Not because we are weak, but because we were never meant to carry everything alone.

In Psalm 55, David speaks honestly about his anxiety. This great king and mighty warrior admits, “My heart is overwhelmed… I am trembling with fear.” Think about that. This is the man who defeated Goliath, led armies, and conquered cities. But now he’s so anxious he can barely function.

This anxiety attack could have been the end of David's story. This could be the last time we read about him. But instead of giving in, David did something that we all must do. He declared with confidence, "I will call on the name of the Lord, and he will rescue me… He will keep me safe from the battle raging against me.” (Psalms 55:16,18).

When fear rises, we often call our friends, call our neighbor, call our parents. That's all fine, but you need to make sure you call on the name of the Lord. Call on the God who created you. Call on the God whose power is greater than anything that comes against you.

God Himself says, “Call on Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15). Sometimes deliverance comes suddenly. One prayer, one moment, and the burden lifts. Other times, it comes quietly, day by day, breath by breath, step by step. God doesn’t always remove everything at once, but He always gives strength for today.

And as you walk forward with Him, you’ll discover that what once felt unbearable becomes lighter, not because life changed overnight, but because you were never meant to walk alone.