Day 31 – You’re Carrying Weight You Were Never Meant to Carry

May 1, 2026 — Friday

There’s something I’m starting to realize in this new season:

When people step into a new role…
especially leadership…

They think…

It all depends on me.

The Conversation That Shifted My Thinking

I went to lunch with a colleague.

Same role. Same responsibility.

We’re both in that position where we’re supporting the pastor and helping lead the teams that make up the church.

So I asked him a simple question:

“What’s the best way to support your pastor?”

At the time…
no real clear answer.

Just conversation.

But Then Came the Text

Later that day…

He followed up.

And what he said stuck with me:

“The best way I can support my pastor…
is to get closer to Jesus and keep Him first.”

At First, That Almost Feels Too Simple

You expect:

• better systems

• stronger leadership

• more execution

• tighter communication

But instead…

Get closer to Jesus.

And The More I Sat With It…

The more I realized:

That is the answer.

Because if God isn’t first…

Everything else becomes heavier.

The Trap of Leadership

It’s subtle.

You don’t even realize it’s happening.

You start thinking:

• “I need to fix this.”

• “I need to carry this.”

• “I need to make this work.”

But That’s Not Leadership…

That’s control.

And control creates weight.

The Truth

You were never meant to carry it all.

The Scripture That Ties It Together

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you…” James 4:7– 8

Most People Stop Halfway

They focus on:

“Resist the devil…”

But they miss:

“Draw near to God…”

And That Changes Everything

Because resisting alone is exhausting.

You’re constantly fighting.

But when you draw near to God…

You’re not just resisting…

You’re being filled.

That’s the Missing Piece

Resist + Draw Near

That’s the equation.

What Happens When You Get This Out of Order

Even in ministry…

You can:

• serve God

• work in the church

• lead people

…and still drift.

Because:

You can do work for God without being close to God.

And When That Happens…

Everything gets heavier.

You start carrying:

• pressure

• expectations

• outcomes

• responsibility that isn’t yours

And It Shows Up Like This

• worrying about numbers

• worrying about performance

• feeling like you’re falling short

• questioning if you’re doing enough

But That’s Not From God

That’s weight you picked up.

The Reset

God first. Always.

Not:

• ministry first

• performance first

• responsibility first

Because When God Is First…

Everything else finds its place.

The Deeper Realization

You can do a lot…

For a season…

On your own strength.

But eventually…

It will cost you.

Because You’re Carrying Something

You were never designed to hold.

The Anchor

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Psalms 127:1

Closing Thought

Yesterday made something clear:

The greatest way to lead others…
is not by doing more…

It’s by staying closer.

Because when you stay close to God…

You don’t carry the weight…

You walk in alignment.

And alignment is lighter
than control will ever be.