Rest in Him

This poem was in my morning devotion from the book "Streams in the Desert" I enjoyed it so much I thought I would share it. It seems that lately we have had more than our fair share of "hundred cares" it seems that like it says in 1 Peter 5:8 that the adversary is roaring around looking who to devour. I continue to hold onto Exodus 14:14 that says that "The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
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One day when walking down the street,
On business bent, while thinking hard
About the “hundred cares” which seemed
Like thunder clouds about to break
 In torrents, Self-pity said to me:
“You poor, poor thing, you have too much
To do. Your life is far too hard.
This heavy load will crush you soon.”
A swift response of sympathy
Welled up within. The burning sun
Seemed more intense. The dust and noise
Of puffing motors flying pastWith rasping blast of blowing horn
Incensed still more the whining nerves,
The fabled last back-breaking straw
To weary, troubled, fretting mind.
“Ah, yes, ’twill break and crush my life;
I cannot bear this constant strain
Of endless, aggravating cares;
They are too great for such as I.”
So thus my heart condoled itself,
“Enjoying misery,” when lo!
A “still small voice” distinctly said,
“Twas sent to lift you—not to crush.”
I saw at once my great mistake.
 
My place was not beneath the load
But on the top! God meant it not
That I should carry it. He sentIt here to carry me. Full well
He knew my incapacity
Before the plan was made. He saw
A child of His in need of graceAnd power to serve; a puny twig
Requiring sun and rain to grow;
An undeveloped chrysalis;
A weak soul lacking faith in God.He could not help but see all this
And more. And then, with tender thought
He placed it where it had to grow—
Or die. To lie and cringe beneathOne’s load means death, but life and power
Await all those who dare to rise above.
Our burdens are our wings; on them
We soar to higher realms of grace;
Without them we must roam for aye
On planes of undeveloped faith,
For faith grows but by exercise in circumstance impossible.

Oh, paradox of Heaven. The loadWe think will crush was sent to lift us
Up to God! Then, soul of mine,
Climb up! for naught can e’er be crushed
Save what is underneath the weight.How may we climb! By what ascent
Shall we surmount the carping cares
Of life! Within His word is found
The key which opes His secret stairs;Alone with Christ, secluded there,
We mount our loads, and rest in Him.
—Miss Mary Butterfield