The Burden We Were Never Meant to Carry

What a 350-year-old allegory still teaches us about modern life

Have you ever read Pilgrim's Progress?

I first read it as a child, and it remains one of my favorite books to this day. Originally published in 1678 by John Bunyan while he was imprisoned for preaching the Gospel, it has become one of the most widely read Christian books in history—second only to the Bible in some estimates.

Now, I'll be honest with you. While Bunyan wrote the book for ordinary people and families to understand, it was written more than 350 years ago. The language can feel a little intimidating to modern readers, and some of the expressions aren't as familiar as they once were.

The good news is that there are some wonderful modern adaptations available that preserve Bunyan's timeless message while making it much easier for today's readers—and children—to enjoy.

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Here are a few versions I personally recommend:

For Adults

The Pilgrim's Progress (Modern English Version)
A faithful adaptation that updates the language while preserving Bunyan's original story and spiritual lessons.

For Families

Little Pilgrim's Progress by Helen L. Taylor
A beloved adaptation written specifically for children and families. This is often the version people remember reading growing up.

For Younger Readers

Illustrated Little Pilgrim's Progress
A beautifully illustrated retelling that captures the heart of the story while making it accessible for children and visual learners. My 6 year old loves this book!

For Movie Lovers

The Pilgrim's Progress Animated Movie (2019)
A surprisingly well-done adaptation that introduces the story in a format many families enjoy watching together. My 6 year old has watched it several times, now.

Over the next few weeks, I'd like to explore what this 350-year-old allegory still teaches us about modern life. We'll look at burdens we were never meant to carry, the dangers of worldly wisdom, the trap of despair, the importance of faithful companions, and why Bunyan's story remains just as relevant today as it was in the seventeenth century.

Let's begin where Christian's journey begins—with a burden.

Sometimes the heaviest burdens are the ones God never asked us to carry

One of the reasons Pilgrim's Progress has endured for more than 350 years is because, despite the old-fashioned language and allegorical characters, it understands something timeless about human nature.

We all carry burdens. Some are obvious. Financial stress. Health concerns. Family struggles. Grief. Responsibilities. Uncertainty about the future.

Others are harder to see. Guilt. Shame. Fear. Regret. The pressure to be everything to everyone. The belief that if we just try harder, worry more, or prepare better, we can somehow keep bad things from happening.

The names may change from generation to generation, but the burden remains familiar.

At the beginning of Pilgrim's Progress, Christian is introduced carrying an enormous pack on his back. It weighs him down everywhere he goes. He knows something is wrong. He knows he cannot continue carrying it forever. Yet he also does not know how to put it down.

If we're honest, many of us know exactly how that feels.

The Burden of Being Responsible for Everything

One thing I've noticed over the years as I have been Life Coaching (what's that? Check it out here!) is that many people quietly carry responsibilities that don't actually belong to them. They carry responsibility for other people's feelings. They carry responsibility for other people's choices. They carry responsibility for outcomes they cannot control. They carry responsibility for fixing every problem, preventing every hardship, and making sure everyone around them is okay all the time.

At first glance, this can look noble. It can even feel loving. But eventually, the weight starts to show. People become exhausted. Resentful. Anxious. Overwhelmed. Not because they are carrying too little, but because they are carrying too much and won't set down the crap pile that isn't theirs.

I often see this in caregivers, parents, grandparents, and people who naturally take care of others (hi there eldest daughter - I see you!). Somewhere along the way, they begin picking up burdens that were never assigned to them. They start believing that if they just work harder, plan better, sacrifice more, or worry enough, they can somehow get ahead, earn their rest, never be surprised, and prove they are worthy of love.

But that burden was never ours to carry.

Even Preparedness Has Its Limits

Now, before anybody thinks Prairie Dust Trail has suddenly become anti-preparedness, let me assure you that is not where I'm going with this. 😄

I believe in preparedness. I believe in emergency plans, stocked pantries, important documents, and thinking ahead. I believe wisdom prepares before the storm clouds gather. But preparedness has a boundary.

There comes a point where preparation becomes an attempt to control the uncontrollable.

And that's where many people find themselves carrying a burden they were never meant to bear.

We can prepare wisely. We can make thoughtful decisions. We can steward what God has entrusted to us. But we cannot guarantee outcomes. We cannot eliminate every risk. We cannot prevent every hardship. And we certainly cannot control every choice other people make.

The moment preparedness becomes an attempt to carry responsibilities that belong to God, the burden becomes a crushing idol.

The Burden of Self-Salvation

One of the reasons Christian's burden is so powerful is because it represents more than just sin and guilt - it represents the human tendency to believe we can somehow save ourselves. Not necessarily spiritually, although that is certainly part of Bunyan's message, but I mean practically, too.

Many of us spend our lives trying to earn peace. We tell ourselves:

"If I can just get the finances under control..."

"If I can just get the house organized..."

"If I can just get the kids raised..."

"If I can just solve this one problem..."

"If I can just prepare for every possible scenario..."

Then I can finally rest. Then I can finally breathe. Then I can finally feel secure. But there is always another problem. Another project. Another concern. Another thing demanding our attention. The work is never completely finished.

And if peace depends on having everything under control, peace will remain forever out of reach.

What Jesus Said About Heavy Burdens

One of my favorite passages in Scripture comes from Jesus Himself:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Notice what Jesus does not say.

He does not say:

"Come to me after you've fixed everything."

"Come to me once you've gotten your life perfectly organized."

"Come to me when you've finally become strong enough to carry it all."

He simply says:

"Come to me."

That invitation is just as relevant today as it was when Bunyan wrote his allegory. Because many people are carrying burdens they were never designed to carry alone.

The Journey Was Never Meant to Be Walked Alone

One of the themes we'll keep returning to throughout this series is community. When people think about Pilgrim's Progress, they often focus on Christian's personal journey. But what strikes me more each time I read it is how often God provides other people along the way.

Evangelist points Christian toward truth.

Faithful walks beside him.

Hopeful encourages him.

Again and again, God uses companions to help pilgrims keep moving forward. That matters because burdens tend to grow heavier in isolation. Worry gets louder when it echoes around an empty room. Fear grows stronger when it has no healthy challenge. Discouragement thrives when we try to carry everything ourselves.

One of the most practical things we can do when life feels heavy is reach out to another human being, not because they can solve every problem, but because burdens often become lighter when they're shared.

A Small Step This Week

As you think about the burdens you're carrying, ask yourself one simple question:

"What am I carrying that does not actually belong to me?"

Maybe it's another person's choices. Maybe it's an outcome you cannot control. Maybe it's guilt that should have been surrendered long ago. Maybe it's the belief that you must have all the answers before you can rest.

Write it down. Pray about it. And then consider sharing it with one trusted person this week. Not to complain. Not to gossip. Simply to be honest. Sometimes the first step toward putting down a burden that ain't yours is admitting you're carrying the dang thing.

You're Invited to Walk With Us

The Christian life was never meant to be a solo expedition. Neither is preparedness. Neither is growth. Neither is the journey through life's challenges.

If you've been looking for thoughtful conversations about faith, preparedness, stewardship, resilience, and everyday wisdom, I'd love to invite you to join us in the Prairie Dust Trail community. It's totally free. Because pilgrims still need companions. And sometimes the most important thing we can discover is that we're not walking the road alone.

Next week, we'll follow Christian as he encounters Mr. Worldly Wiseman and learns a lesson many of us still need today: not every shortcut leads where we think it will.