How faith and wisdom lighten life’s heaviest burdens
Since August 2 I’ve been helping my sister-in-law and her husband move. Thankfully, as an Okay Boomer, I dealt with a lot of tech stuff – like setting up the WIFI and following after the satellite TV installer and fixing what he got wrong – I mean, seriously, the guy should have known his own tech and stopped trying to upsell things to them. People with hearing aids don’t need sound bars; sound bars tend to muddle the center channel (where the dialog usually is) and dialog is the most difficult part to pick up for people with hearing loss.
I still did a lot of heavy lifting. Things felt heavier than I remembered, furniture was awkward to carry, and my muscles have been reminding me that I’m not as young as I used to be. Maybe it’s just that my body thinks that everything’s heavier now.
But the physical weight wasn’t the only burden. Beneath the soreness, there’s a heaviness in my heart – the loss of my brother still feels fresh. That kind of weight can’t be packed up or moved; it lingers in quiet moments, even when the day is busy. It reminds me of the fragility of life.
I’ve been thinking about how life loads us down in two ways. There’s the kind of weight we can see and touch – like lifting and moving furniture. Then there’s the weight we carry in our hearts: grief, uncertainty, the kinds of struggles that don’t show on the surface but press down just the same.
The good news? We’re not meant to carry those loads alone.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28–30, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Sometimes, we choose to carry heavy things out of love or responsibility. Other times, hardship lands on us unexpectedly. Either way, those heavy seasons can shape us – they stretch our patience, deepen our compassion, and remind us to rely on God’s strength instead of our own.
I’m learning that as I get older, lifting isn’t always about brute strength. It’s about knowing my limits and asking for help when I need it. Spiritually, it means bringing my burdens to God sooner rather than waiting until I’m worn out.
Sometimes God strengthens our backs to carry the load; other times, He lightens it so we can stand a little taller.
Isaiah 46:4 says, “Even to old age I am he, and even to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear. Yes, I will carry, and will deliver.” Whether your burden today is a heavy box or a heavy heart, you don’t have to carry it alone.
Let God share the load.
I still found time for a few new videos.
Life can be unpredictable. Storms rise, plans fall apart, and sometimes the path ahead is hidden in shadow. Yet as followers of Christ, we stand on a solid truth: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God.” (Romans 8:28)
My latest video, We Know, is a reflection on that promise. It’s a journey through the certainty we have in God’s control, even when the seas are rough and the way is unclear. With a cinematic tone and Scripture at its heart, this piece is meant to encourage weary believers to rest in the fact that nothing in their life is random or wasted — not even pain.
We Know
Sometimes, the most dangerous traps aren’t the ones we see coming. In A Spider’s Web, we explore the fragile nature of self-made faith, the hidden snares of deception, and the unshakable safety found only in Christ. With abstract imagery, subtle spider web patterns, and a touch of whimsy in a minor key, this short piece draws from Isaiah 59:5 –
“They … weave the spider’s web.”
It’s a visual reminder that while false hopes and empty religion can look convincing, they will not hold when life’s storms come. Our true refuge is not something we spin ourselves, but Someone who shelters us completely.
A Spider’s Web
There are days when it’s hard to put our prayers into words. For moments like that, Scripture gives us short, steady truths to hold onto—truths that keep our hearts anchored.
Psalm 73:23 is one of those verses: “Nevertheless, I am continually with you.” Just one word—Nevertheless—is a bridge between our failures and God’s faithfulness, a truth too steady to be drowned out by doubt.
This text-based video pairs that verse with short, simple statements, set to soaring cinematic music. The music lifts the words, and the words anchor the heart—reminding us that even when our grip on God feels weak, His grip on us never loosens.
Nevertheless (Text version)
Sometimes our walk with God feels anything but steady. We know our weaknesses all too well—our doubts, distractions, and failures seem like enough to push Him away. But Psalm 73:23 gives us a word that changes everything: “Nevertheless.”
This short but powerful declaration reminds us that God’s presence doesn’t depend on our perfection. He holds us, thinks of us, watches over us, and carries us close to His heart—not because we deserve it, but because His grace is unshakable.
This video is a reflection on that truth. As you watch and listen, let the words sink deep into your spirit: Even when I fail, God never lets me go.
Steven Stoops -- TUCOR Five One Seven Productions 
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