Make Life Bearable

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 

Bearing the burdens of each other is a big part of our Christian lives. It should be something that we do not just because the Bible tells us, although that is important, but we should see the need to do it.   We all have burdens to bear at one time or another and we all know how being in that place calls for relief.   We might not...
all face the same type of burdens or even the same weight of burdens, but we all have them in one shape or form. As humans we should be sensitive to others that have heavy burdens to bear. As Christians, it is even more important. 

Bear the Brunt

B - runt
E - mpathy
A - fflictions
R - esponsibilities

Have you ever been faced with a burden to bear and you felt like you were weak in the knees because it was so heavy? I think anyone feels that way when they go through a trial. Especially when it first hits them. When you feel the brunt of a trial, you feel all that force and impact. You just want a little of that weight off of your shoulders.  The doorbell or the phone ringing can sometimes strike fear in a person when they have a heavy burden because when you are that low, you just don't want to deal with anyone or anything. I think that is where we can step in. We can help someone out by just answering the door or the phone for them, taking messages, or fielding questions. 

Just doing any little thing to help can take the brunt of the impact off of the person going through the hard time. Stepping in and helping to alleviate unnecessary weight on someone that is already feeling beaten down can ease some of that forceful impact that has stuck at them. We can act as a shield to those people. We can help soften the blow. 

Bear with Empathy  

Empathy is basically just an understanding how someone else is feeling and when you have a friend or loved one going through a rough time, they want to know that you understand.  

You may just need to stop and listen to them. You might not even have to talk at all. Maybe just be there to give them a hug or hold their hand. From time to time we all need someone who just says, "Everything is going to be okay". "Things will get better". 

Hurting people just want to know someone else is there for them and that someone else is in their corner. Sometimes we have to feel a little bit of their pain too. 

Bear up Afflictions  

I don't like afflictions but I've had my share. It can be any burden you have to carry or any situation that hurts you to go through. Hurting people are vulnerable people because their defenses are down. They need some lifting up. One way to do that is to pray for them. Sounds basic, but praying for others is such an important part of our Christian living. 

Encouraging them in other ways can really help too. Maybe it is just a simple card you send that says you are thinking of them. Maybe it is a phone call or even a text message to say they are in your prayers. There are all kinds of ways to say you care and want to help in any given situation.  

Bear the Responsibilities  

When you are the person hurting, you aren't in a vacuum. Life goes on without you. Maybe you have kids or a husband who still has to get up, and go to school or work every day. Everything keeps moving along at a fast pace and you are in slow pace mode. 

Some things just naturally have to slide in your everday routine. You may not be up to doing normal everyday tasks, whether it is a physical burden or whether you just are so low that you don't have the strength to carry on. 

Helping out with responsibilities is another place we all can step in and help someone in this situation. Can we pick up the kids from school? Do their laundry? Make them a meal? Pick up the dry cleaning? Go to the grocery store? Maybe even walk the dog? 

We all have responsibilities. Life is full of little details and everyday jobs that still need to get done even when we aren't feeling up to it. As Christians we should want to dive right in to help ease the burdens of everyday life for someone else. 

Conclusion:  

I've had times in my life, like after surgery, or when I was just going a rough time, where I've had some wonderful Christian people and friends at my side. I'm not sure what I would have done without them. They lifted me up when I was down. People that help bear the burdens of others are such an encouragement. Just being there and acting as a friend can make all the difference in the world. 

I found a quote from one of my favorite bears and his little friend. I like what Piglet says to Winnie-the-Pooh. It says a lot.  

“I don’t feel very much like Pooh today," said Pooh.  "There there," said Piglet. "I’ll bring you tea and honey until you do.”

A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Copyright ©2012 Julia Bettencourt
Scripture References are from the King James Version.
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