Chapter One Jesus Is the Answer What's the Question?   Pastor Bob Riedy approached a lecturn that was surrounded by rocks of various sizes,configurations and colors.  He was dressed in a suit and tie but carried a large burlap bag, the kind farmers use for potatoes or grain.   As he spoke of the burdens people carry, he put one stone after another into the sack.  For each episode a new stone was thrown in.  Some were small, others larger, and still others large enough to significantly increase the weight of the bag.                   "When you were six, your best friend deserted you."                  "In junior high school classmates made fun of the way you                     dressed."                  "You wanted to be a cheerleader in the worst way but got cut                  from the team."                  "The girl you were going steady with broke up with you."   The sack became burdensome.                 "Your marriage foundered over constant arguments about                 money."                  "You said something you wished you could take back, but it                       was too late."                  "You had a miscarriage."                  "The workload at your job is overwhelming."   The bag got heavier.                  "You have a mortgage, a car payment, two kids and a layoff                  notice."                  "You got divorced."                  "Your Mom died."                  "Your child has a serious illness."                  "Drugs and alcohol took over your life."   The weight was overwhelming and the sack just sat there, draining the strength out of anyone who tried to budge it.   We all have burdens that weigh us down.  Some people try to deal with them on their own and become self-absorbed, unhappy, depressed, and maybe even suicidal.  Others attend support groups.  Television, radio and self-help books offer quick fix advice.  Those who can afford it may go to psychiatrists or psychologists.  But in the end people are still left with their burdens.    And on top of all this, we're afraid of death.  People can have personal ideas about it that may make them comfortable, but deep down they know their musings are just wishful thinking.  The uncertainties, apprehensions and fears about the one inevitable fact of life remain untouched.   Christ offers forgiveness, support and eternal life.  These are the keys to dealing with our troubles.  When we do something we regret, we can come to Jesus, obtain forgiveness and overcome our guilt.  This removes stones from the sack.  The wisdom that comes with prayerful consideration of issues before we act helps us to make correct decisions that keep burdens from occurring in the first place.  This prevents stones from being put in the sack.  The promise of eternal life puts our problems into perspective:  they're just part of a short life on earth that is merely a prelude to a peaceful everlasting life.  This reduces the weight of the remaining stones and removes the sting of death.  Altogether, the stresses that are an inescapable part of life become manageable.   Here's the catch.  In order for this to work a person must truly believe in Jesus Christ.  As products of the 20th and 21st centuries, surrounded by skepticism, this can be hard for us to do.  But if we open our minds and overcome our doubts, the peace that comes with faith is ours.   The question is:  How can I effectively deal with the pressure, guilt, uncertainty, unhappiness, turmoil, fear, tragedy and other burdens that weigh me down?   The answer is:  Jesus Christ.