Carrying The Burden

In Galatians 6:2 it says, Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Many years ago a read a book that opened my eyes to this scripture.  The author spoke of her friend who was going through a very difficult time.  She very lovingly told her friend that she would take on a portion of the burden.  What a tremendous act of love!  To willingly take on the burden of another person personifies Christ.

I shared this with a friend several years ago and had taken on a portion of a burden she was carrying at the time.  It had an impact on her and she has also chosen to carry the burdens of others.  We talked about our burdens and carrying those of another and how we can easily be weighed down.  While we are called to carry one another's burdens God does not intend for us to hold onto them.  He does not call us to hold onto our own, and in the same way He does not intend for us to hold onto anothers.

When we carry one another's burdens we simply taken it on in order to carry it to the cross on behalf of another.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28 to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Carrying burdens (our own or another persons) will wear us out.  It is not a load that God intends for us to carry (long term).  When we carry a burden for another we need to remember that Christ implores us to come to Him with them.

Proverbs 11:25 says, A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.God blesses those that choose to refresh others by carrying their burdens.  I have a friend that has a tagline that reads, "May the blessing your receive today be the blessing that you need the most".  We receive blessings daily.  When we give new strength to another God strengthens us.  As we pour into the lives of others by sharing Christ, God will continue to pour back into us.

2 Corinthians 9:12-13 says This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.