Daily Meditation: "Burdens"

SCRIPTURE

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

- Galatians 6:2

REFLECTION

“Toughen Up.” “Grow up.” “Big kids don’t cry.” “Get over it.”

Has anyone said anything like this to you? Have you ever said anything like it to someone else?

We have all manner of phrases that we use to tell people that they need to not feel the pain they do for as long as they do. Sometimes it makes us uncomfortable ourselves to see someone else in pain or grief, or maybe it scares us when that pain or grief seems to be deeper or longer-lasting than we think it should.

There are a million other ways to be encouraging, to remind others of their own strength and that they are capable of walking through the deepest valleys. Sometimes, though (and perhaps you can relate to this yourself) folks aren’t ready to truly know their own strength. Sometimes, the strongest of people have a very difficult time finding their way out of the valley.

And sometimes (not all the time, mind you), instead of trying to push that person we need to allow them to be right where they are and help to carry the weight of their burdens with them and for them. They’ll discover their strength in and at the right time. If that time isn’t now, rather than forcing it we might do better to simply be with them in the valley and do what we can to help carry their burdens.

That, according to Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, is fulfilling Christ’s law. We are called to help carry each other’s crosses from time-to-time. We are called to bear the burdens of the people around us so they can re-emerge into the light again, just as we would hope someone would do for us in our times of struggle.

You know full well when you’re ready and able to start living in the light again. Afford others the same space to be in pain for a bit and simply help them carry it. They’ll get back to the light again, just like you did.

PRAYER

God Of Strength And Healing, give us strength to help carry the burdens of others for the sake of their own healing, and remind us that we have angels around us that will do the same for us when we need it.

Amen.

Peace,

Shawn