Bearing one another's burdens...

Chapter Thirty-seven:

Meister Eckhart said, "If a burden is laid on my back and another immediately takes it off and carries it himself, it can make no difference to me whether it is one or a hundred pounds."

When you hear the word "burden" what does it bring to mind?  The Greek word for  burden is "baros".  It means "heaviness, weight, burden, trouble." The problems we face in this world sometimes become just too much for us to handle alone.  This is why God tells us to help one other. While we may try to do things alone, the demands of this life constantly pull at us, which can cause stress and worry.  

Matthew 16:24 is a wonderful example of someone helping another carry a burden.  It is the story of Simeon stepping in and helping Jesus carry his cross.  At first Simeon was ordered by the soldiers to  help carry the cross, but I believe that after a few moments he was blessed by it as it brought him close to Jesus.  Had he not been required to help Jesus, he may have just moved on through the crowd and missed that wonderful opportunity of seeing the love of Christ underneath all the bruises and cuts He had to endure.

We are reminded in Colossians 3:2 to "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things", but this is often challenging to do. While we know we are to keep our minds and hearts focused on those things above, we struggle with how to deal with what goes on in our daily lives, here on earth.

  

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, he went on to say in Galatians 5:14 “The whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” But how do we do that?  He gives us the answer in Galatians 6:2 when he says, "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This implies that it is our duty to help one another, not just something we do because we feel a moment of inspiration or pity.  It is our job to help one another.

  

This is one of the main reasons we need other believers to turn to when we just cannot handle our burdens alone anymore.  We are meant to help carry one another's load.  We are to lift one another up if we fall.  Helping each other deal with life's burdens is one of the main things we are called to do.

While it is easy for us to reach out and help others, for some reason we have a hard time asking for and accepting help for ourselves.  I wonder why this is. Could it be because we have a difficult time revealing our inadequacies and shortcomings to one another?  It is because we do not want to cause our brother or sister to have one more thing to deal with, in an already hectic world?  Or is pride stopping us from asking for help?  Many people get great joy out of helping others and in your reluctance to ask for and receive help, you are stopping them from feeling useful and fulfilled.

Unfortunately, another problem you may encounter is that some people are just not good at offering comfort and help to others.  They feel inadequate, or, sad to say, they just do not want to be bothered by another person's problems.  This is why it is important to have fellow believers who you know you can turn to when you need help, and in turn, they know that you will be there to help them when they need it.

In some instances, the burdens we help another carry will require much suffering on our part.  Are we willing to suffer along with our brother or sister in order to take on part of their burden? If we only help one another when we feel the burden is "acceptable", then we need to ask ourselves how much are we really helping and, more importantly, are we really helping our brother or sister with their burden.  While wrapping a hurting wrist is appreciated, or praying for someone to get an answer to prayer is helpful, what if you are asked by God to share their burden so much so that it becomes overwhelming to you also?  Will you still step in and help, or have you set some preconceived limits as to how much you are willing to help another?  

Jesus Christ, of course, is our ultimate example of how much we are to take upon another's burdens.  While we do not have the human, physical capacity to handle the sins of the entire world upon us as He did, it is the example He sets of our need to do whatever it takes to help, regardless of the cost to us.

Do you feel that your troubles or burdens are so heavy that you are sinking beneath them? Allow this to be an opportunity not for fear but for the chance to cast your faith upon God.  If you feel the task is too heavy, allow God to use it as a reminder that He is there to hold you up.   

            In the end, no matter how many friends you may have, God is ultimately the one who can offer real relief for your troubles. When you feel burdened or troubled, run to God for help.  Ask and expect Him to give you the help you need. No matter how difficult the trouble or how heavy the burden, seek the Lord in confidence.   If no words come to your lips, lay bare your soul before God.  Cry if you must and He will be quick to dry your tears.  He knows the depth of your sorrow and distress.  God is not moved by our fancy words, but by us laying at His feet and casting our cares before Him.  

            As Charles Spurgeon so plainly put it, "When you lift up your eyes to Him, difficulties vanish, impossibilities end, and perils and dangers cease."