Burden: July 17, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 17, 2012.

BURDEN

DEFINITION:

Something carried; a load; something borne with a difficulty as a care or a grief.

SCRIPTURE:

Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Romans 15:1

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

The word “bear” in the verse above means “to pick up and carry a weight.” It is used in the carrying of a pitcher of water, carrying a man, and figuratively of bearing an obligation.

The Bible instructs us as Christians to bear one another’s burdens. Doing this requires three things. First, it requires awareness. If you are not sensitive to the struggles of those around you, how can you help them? Every day we see and talk to people who hurt intensely. Have you asked God to sensitize you to the needs of the people around you?

Secondly, we need to have a spirit of acceptance. We are not to bear burdens on the basis of how we feel about a person or a situation. If we are going to be like Christ in our actions we need to be willing to share in the pain of others, no matter who they are or where they are.

Finally, we must be available. It is so easy for us to delegate a situation to somebody else. It may be to another friend, a family member, someone in the church or work place. God blesses people who will be available and will bear someone else’s burden with them.

The Apostle Paul tells us in I Thessalonians 5:14 to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak and be patient with everyone. We can do this by being present when someone needs help. We need to listen to a person so we can fully understand the need. Allow the experience of your own pain and failures enable you to help others.

Take the time to pray with a person who is carrying a heavy burden and be willing to give to help meet that person’s need in any way you can. A hand shake or a hug with the words, “I will pray for you” is not enough.

Next to loving the Lord with all your heart we are given the commandment to love our neighbor. Do you help carry the burden of others? If not, God is expecting you to do it and He will enable you if you are willing.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Romans 8:18.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

PRAYER:

Help me to focus on what is important to You and not to me. Keep me from being indifferent to the need of others and help me to be willing to carry the burden of others. Help me to learn to share someone else’s heartache in their time of sadness.