Bear One Anothers Burdens

Warning: This is not one of those posts where I have experienced something, come out on the other side and now have tips for others. This is going to be one of those posts where I'd love to hear back from you. How do you deal ? Have you asked yourself this same question ? Do you have words of wisdom, verses or quotes that may help me answer this question for myself ?

Galatians 6:2

² Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

For several weeks now I have been repeatedly asking myself the question , "How do we bear one another's burdens and not crumble under the weight ?". I have not come up with a good answer yet . Obviously there is prayer and the Bible. Maybe that is all we need, but as my heart becomes more and more heavy for those who hurt I feel less and less capable of bearing the burden . Perhaps unworthy is a better word . I do my best to listen as people share their hurts, struggles, confusion and so on and if led I will share what's on my heart in return . Whether it be a response to their question , a observation , personal testimony , scripture or simply a promise to prayer on their behalf .

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else."
Charles Dickens

 

It is through this one question in particular that I have noticed God is answering some of my prayers rather specifically . Recently in times of confusion of feelings about situations or people I have begun asking the Lord if He would instead of clearing my mind or giving me a specific answer to the situation ,  He would instead show me how to better pray for that situation/person . I am shocked at how immediate He has answered my prayers . As if He was simply waiting for me to ask that specific question . In some situations of my heavy heart, moments after asking the Lord how to specifically pray for the person/situation I would receive a text, e-mail , fb msg, or call with the very specifics I had just asked the Lord for . It's AMAZING how easy it is to see His hands and movements when we get our or more specifically when I get my head and heart refocused and start asking the right questions .

 

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden."
Corrie Ten Boom

So, maybe this post does have an answer after all , but I'd still love to hear your thoughts . Maybe what we are to do is to listen, pray, offer Biblical wisdom , give it back to God and depending on the situation there may be something very literal we can do as well . I think of course whether you are married, a parent, single , young or old one key no matter who's burdens you are carrying , would be consistency in your personal devotional & prayer life . I'm reminded of the flight attendant demonstration when you are about to take flight , "in the event of a emergency place your oxygen mask on prior to assisting other passengers".  I use to quote that to my RA's all the time when I saw the weight of the ministry wearing them out . We are of no use to anyone if we haven't done what is needed to care for ourselves , personal time in the Word , prayer , rest , so on so forth.....putting our oxygen mask on first .

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV         

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

 

Psalm 55:22 ESV         

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never

permit the righteous to be moved.