Take a plain piece of paper, hold it between your fingers and try to balance a book on one edge of it. The book can be your Bible, a notebook, a children’s book — the title doesn’t matter.

Couldn’t do it, could you?

Now, roll the piece of paper into a tube the size of the tube you find in the middle of a roll of paper towels. Hold the tube and balance your book on the same edge.

Same piece of paper. Same book. Different outcome.

Why? Because changing the shape of the paper added strength and structure that allowed the weight of the book to be dispersed differently.

Today’s verse likens us to that piece of paper.

When we try doing things on our own, we fall under the weight of things life brings our way (or that we bring upon ourselves). When we allow ourselves to become one with Christ, however, He circles His loving arms around us — holding us securely in place.

Our problems are no problem for God. It is His presence that allows us to bear up under the weight of whatever comes our way.

Don’t try to do life alone. It’s just not worth it.