A Facebook post this week communicates a good lesson for life. It’s making the rounds, but I’m copying it in case you haven’t seen it.

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she enquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

She continued, ‘The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

Remember to put the glass down.

The psychologist was teaching on stress, but the same is true for unforgiveness, bitterness, and judgment. The longer you hold them, the heavier they become. They paralyze.

 Then they erupt in anger.

It may be difficult to lay them down. But it’s harder to hang on to them without unwanted consequences.

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). Part of coming to Him is giving Him the load that you’ve been carrying. Give Him your unforgiveness, bitterness, and judgment.

He will carry the heavy stuff for you. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls” (Mt. 11:29). When you put on His yoke, you give Him the load and let him carry the weight for you.

Picture Jesus in the yoke with you and place your burden on Him.

And where do you find rest? “For your souls”–your mind, will, and emotions—the location of unforgiveness, bitterness, judgment, and anger. Give the Lord your heavy load so anger won’t control you.

If you’re weary from holding a half-full glass, heed the words of Jesus. His “yoke is easy, and [His] load is light” (Mt. 11:30).

 “Come to Me, . . ., and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:29).