Sharing Our Burdens With Jesus & With Each Other

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.’ (Galatians 6:2);  ‘And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.’ (Hebrews 13:16); ‘(27) Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.  (28) Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you.’ (Proverbs 3:27-28)

I used to think it sounded sort of presumptuous when I heard, back in my days as a new Christian, that we should share our burdens.  ‘You handle your stuff, I’ll handle my stuff’ to a certain point is common sense, we don’t want to be overbearing to others with our problems.  Many of us grew up with this being told to us by our parents, ‘No one else needs to know our business’.

What Paul is describing, though, reminds us that the Lord wants us to at least share that we are going through, if we are carrying a heavy burden or need help.  Some burdens others may not be able to help out with directly, as we may not necessarily have the ability or the resources to help, but in sharing we can often find that someone else has gone through the same issues and can prepare those burdened on what to expect and how to respond.  For example, a middle-aged couple may be approaching the age where Social Security can be drawn.  Many others have been drawing from Social Security for years and know how it works and how to get started.  By bringing it up, others have insights on the steps needed to take, to make it easier for the couple to apply. 

When we share our issues, we may find someone can help us to fill in that which is needed.  A car may have a dead battery, but the person does not have a battery charger.  Someone else has a battery charger not in use; by sharing the need out to others, the person needing the charger is offered to borrow the charger to get the battery charged.  We can share what we have with others if we know what is needed to share. 

We have many things in our possession, but we must realize that it all belongs to the Lord for His purposes and not necessarily our purposes.  If you have it, and not using it or needing it at that moment, share it.  When you do borrow something, return it promptly when finished with it.  Should you lend something out and need it back, don’t stew – ask the person to return it, as they may have forgotten they borrowed it.

Those who are around us – and put on their ‘happy’ face while sitting among us in the pews of the church. Many are tired physically, mentally and emotionally from the continuous stress that is coming toward them daily.  Saying ‘don’t worry, all will be well’ is not always good, as that doesn’t always comfort if a solution is not provided or seen. God Himself does not guarantee happiness, but He does guarantee Joy; joy is not ‘all is happy and fun’ but contentment.  It may not be well physically, mentally, or emotionally but it is well Spiritually; knowing the Lord is with us, has not abandoned us, and will – in His timing and ways – take care of us. 

Can we do something to alleviate someone’s pain?  The best thing we can do is to support each other in fellowship; talk with others, listen to them.  Pull them to the side if they seem to be hurting, many will not share unless asked.  Pray for them, ask them if there is anything that can be done to help them to reduce their stress.  We cannot always solve or alleviate someone’s problems (that is for the Lord to do) but we can walk along with them, to provide Godly encouragement and let them know they are not alone. 

Those who are hurting must also be willing to be open and share;  one does not have to give all the intimate details if that would be too personal (some things should be shared only with the Lord) but can simply give folks the knowledge that they are hurting and need help in terms of prayer and encouragement. You can share that you have an issue, that you’ve shared it with Jesus, but need us to pray for you.  We can share the burden without one sharing the details, knowing that the one who does know, Jesus, has the solution – and that’s all we need to know!