In Greek mythology, the god Atlas is one of the Titans, a band of gods with superhuman strength and size. The ship Titanic, a massive ocean liner supposedly unsinkable, was named after the Titans. I digress, back to Atlas. Atlas lost his position when he was overthrown by the chief Greek god, Zeus, and compelled to carry the heavens on his shoulders. Atlas is always pictured as a man stooped over with an enormous boulder on his shoulders. The weight of the heavens is staggering and Atlas can barely carry it.
Why am I writing about Greek mythology and Atlas? There are many walking among us with what I call the Atlas Complex. They seem to be carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. The problems in their lives are so heavy that they are crushing them. If you talk to them their focus invariably is about their problems be they health problems, work problems, marriage problems, family problems, or financial problems. Their problems dominate their lives and that’s all they talk about. If you know someone like that, they are suffering from the Atlas Complex. It’s tough to be around those with the Atlas Complex. They tend to “bring you down” through their negativity and preoccupation with their issues. You can’t wait to get away from them and, if possible, you avoid them at all costs. They are like Eeyore, the donkey in Winnie the Pooh, negative and depressive; not fun to be around.
How can we help someone with the Atlas Complex? They need the words of Jesus ringing in their ears. Jesus bids them to “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). Atlas Complex people need to be challenged to transfer loads with Jesus. They need to give Him their crushing, heavy load and pick up His light yoke. Practically speaking that means they need to raise their eyes off their problems and set them on Jesus, their Load-lifter. If they will trust Him with their problems, He will help them. They have a choice. They can continue to try to solve their problems themselves and be crushed under their weight or they can give them to Jesus and be yoked to Him.
He is the Load-lifter for those with the Atlas Complex,
Irv