Strip Off Every Weight

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT

This scripture has been on my heart for weeks now. It lives in my head. It circles back most mornings. Honestly, it’s not even surprising to me that this is the scripture God keeps bringing me back to these days. It follows everything God has been speaking to me this year. We live in a world that says, “Do more.” “Be More.” “Hustle.” “Get your grind on.” It’s not even just the world, it’s infiltrated the “Christian culture” too. We want to do more for the Lord, bring more to the Lord, and often the most important part is disregarded. Rest. Sit by the streams. Sit at His feet.

I have allowed myself to fall into the traps of doing more at an attempt to be more effective, and this year (if I’m being real, the last 2 years) the Lord has been reminding me gently, and sometimes not so gently, that more is not better. That He has equipped me how He wants me equipped, and the heart that He gave me is for His purposes. Right now He keeps reminding me to strip off the weight. This implies that I need to do the letting go of the things. My wrong thinking. Carrying the loads that I was never meant to carry. It is action on my part. Stop carrying the emotional load. Stop filling the gaps that I wasn’t even asked to fill. I don’t have to anticipate the needs of those around me all the time.

I need to sit at His feet and let my cup be full so that I can do the things that God has set out for me to do.

That small sentence above is a hard one for me. Not because I don’t understand the sentence or the amazing joy I feel when I sit and soak in God’s presence. Trust me, I do, and I love it! The hard part is sometimes I get just enough for me and turn around and give it away immediately. I get good momentum with the Lord and find another way to pour it all out. I’ve operated from places of overflow, and those are the sweet, sweet spots. The reality of life for me the last few years is I’ve kicked myself into survival mode, autopilot, and operating from a place of bare minimum. That is NOT the Jesus way, not even a little bit. (Matthew 11:28-30)

The last few months my heavenly Father has been very loud, in the still, small voice kind of way. With reminder after reminder that He has something good coming, and I need to be ready for this next season. In order to be ready, I have to strip off every weight. I have to spend that precious time at His feet. I have to drink from His wells of everlasting water. Survival mode is over and cup filling is in. In my flesh, this scares me. Boundaries scare me. I encourage them for everyone else and I worry what will happen when after so many years of my adult life I have not set boundaries willingly with anyone. If I’m being real, choosing me is scary. That being said, I trust the One asking me to do the choosing.

I trust where God is guiding me, and the resources He has put in my path for this leg of the journey. I trust that He has placed the people in my life who do accept boundaries and want to see me fully healed in my mind, heart, and soul. I have seen glimpses of this healing. I’ve also seen how I have willingly picked up the things back from Jesus’ feet that I have laid down. I came across a song this weekend that spoke so loudly about where I am in life right now. It is called “The Long Surrender” by NEEDTOBREATHE (I do not own any claims to this song.). The song can be found on any major music outlet. The way it spoke to me is a reminder that this is a long game with the Lord. No quick fixes, and no fixes without total surrender. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but I am willing to return to surrender and give it another go. Not just for me, but because my heart’s desire is that people see Jesus in me. In the way I live, love, and give.

I’d like to share some of the resources I have been working on to help me take better care of me, the way God intends. The Bible, of course. A book called “Soul Care” by Debra Fileta, M.A., LPC; “Resting in Jesus” A 30-day walk with Mary and Martha devotional guide by April Rodgers; Prayer Journal For Women by Shannon Roberts (52 week scripture, devotional, and guided prayer journal). The Soulspace app. These resources can be purchased from the author’s websites, retail outlets, etc. I am not sponsored or paid by any of the above resources. The Soulspace app was recommended to me by a friend in the psychology community and is a great way to start your day with the Word of God.

Abba, Please help anyone who needed to read this today to know that that are seen, noticed, and loved! Help them to know that they do not have to live under the weight of everything they have been carrying! I pray a sweet release and a surrender unto You and Your safe arms! I pray that worth and value are found in the identity as a child of God, not what the world has spoken over them! I pray for the fill in the gap folks, I pray for the let me take that off your plate folks! I pray if anyone reading this doesn’t have a relationship with You, they ask questions on how to know You! I pray for freedom and deliverance that come through surrendering our way to Your perfect plan, one step at a time. In Jesus name, I pray You cover the people who read this and it resonates! Amen

Copyright 2026 Joyce Elwood