Weekly Devotional: How to Bear One Another’s Burdens

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 43:5)

As Christians, we have a front-row seat to the sin and corruptness within the world. We live in the midst of a broken world amongst broken people, yet we know the truth of Jesus and the restoration He offers each and every one of us. Though most of us would like to turn a blind eye to the reality of just how far the world has fallen from God, we cannot. It can be difficult to find the balance between witnessing the everyday tragedies and hurt that people experience, while also maintaining hope and faith in God, His plan and His love for others.

“It was a part of God’s plan.”

“Just bring it before the Lord.”

“Pray for peace that surpasses all understanding.”

These are just a few of the clichés that are used like Band-Aids to cover the bullet wound-like hurt we all experience at some point in our lives. Though there is truth in each one of these sayings, they do not always help us understand or cope with the heaviness that life brings us and others.

These clichés, though well-intentioned, can also inherently teach us to shy away from truly feeling the brokenness of the world. Galatians 6:2 calls us to bear one another’s burdens and to truly hurt along those are hurting. There should never be a time where you are embarrassed or ashamed of the way you are affected by the world’s sin and brokenness. The truth is that this Earth is sinful and the severity of that sin should impact us! When we allow ourselves to feel vulnerable and open about our hurt for others, we find that it is that very hurt that fuels our faith in God, our prayer lives and the hope we have in Jesus’ return.

The Bible is clear in instructing us to bear one another’s burdens, but there is a danger when we choose to reside in those burdens. As believers, we know that Jesus is coming back and He is going to make all things new! Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” When we feel the weight of the world’s brokenness, we must pair it with the hope and joy we have in Jesus!

Yes, the world is broken. We watch people we love hurt, wander and undergo circumstances that even we cannot explain. We witness acquaintances, friends or even strangers live a life without ever knowing the love of Christ. So, how do we find the balance between being brokenhearted for the brokenhearted, while living and rejoicing in who Jesus is, what He has done for us and what He will continue to do?

The body of Christ is powerful and designed to carry burdens of the world. If you find yourself feeling overcome by the weight of sin and begin to adopt the hurt and hopelessness that others carry, share it with the church. Tell a community of believers that you love and trust! We are one body, and together we will pray for the broken, the lost and the hurting. Together, we will bear the burdens of others, while praising Jesus and thanking Him for the love and peace He provides. We are called to bear the burdens of others, but not alone!

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