Life is hard. Tragedies. Disease. Loss. Grief. Despair. Loneliness.
All of these bring to mind a mixture of deep and hard emotions.
We all will experience some or many of these situations, what is the right way to handle these situations? What would Jesus do? What does the Bible teach us?
Bearing/sharing a burden
Some people may be prone to never ask for, nor accept help when the “burden” is definitely too much to bear alone. However, the Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Galatian Christians, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NASB) There are definitely times when we need to be sensitive to the needs and burdens of others and offer to help! It may be an empathetic and listening ear, or offering practical help in doing physical tasks, or any number of situations. That is what Jesus taught us, and the Apostle Paul instructs the believers in Galatia (and all of us) in this!
The load we each must carry
“For each will have to bear his own load.” (Galatians 6:5)
I like the picture of the hiker carrying a backpack.
What is the “load we each must carry”? In my understanding that can have a 2-fold application.
-- Compared to the person that may never ask for help, there may be some
people who haven’t learned to take their concerns to the Lord and seek His
strength and guidance. A good Christian friend wisely reminded me
recently, that often as Moms who deeply feel the struggle of our children,
and want to intervene (help)in any way possible…we need to let go, to enable
our children to not just come to us, but learn to draw their own personal strength and
wisdom from the Lord. There is not a “formula” for this, but the Holy Spirit
has been given to us, to direct our steps, and lead us in God’s truth! (John 16:13a)
--We need to individually come to know and accept what God has given us to be
our own purpose, and responsibility. Too often parents or other well-meaning
family or friends live vicariously through someone else (eg. the classic concept of
a “helicopter parent”), or pushing a child to be someone or something you wanted
to be. Or perhaps, you are faced with challenges of long-term caregiving of
someone. Something you never expected, but God has given you the opportunity
to do.
Each of us will experience challenges that stretch us and may even hurt deeply. But, if even Jesus “although He was a son, … learned obedience through what He suffered”, (Hebrews 5:8 ESV) how much more do we need to experience trials and suffering to become what God has planned for us? He is a God of comfort, and gives strength in the midst of our suffering, but does not eliminate all suffering from our experience. Jesus, as our Shepherd, is with us even in the “valley of the shadow of death.” (Psalms 23) These are the “loads” we each must carry.
As a young girl in grade school, I went to a boarding school because my parents were medical missionaries. I experienced things that were very difficult. I had the love and support of older siblings and long-distance support and love from my parents (I never felt “abandoned”), but I had to personally experience and “carry my load”. Through it all, I learned and developed a deep love for the Lord. I still experienced challenges, and the “journey” will not be over, till we are with Him in heaven, but my personal relationship with Jesus is central to my life!!
Let the Lord show you what is and how to “bear your own load”, or when you do indeed need to come alongside someone, to help them bear their burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ!
Dear Jesus, All of this can be difficult, and sometimes confusing! Thank you that You are not a God of confusion, but promise to give us wisdom when we ask You for it. Show us when/how to carry our own “load”, and when/how to help “bear another’s burden”!
In Your precious name, we pray! Amen.
