Carrying Burdens
Open Your Bible
Galatians 6:1-10, Romans 14:13-23, James 5:13-20, Exodus 17:9-13
BY Scarlet Hiltibidal
The most recent too-heavy thing I attempted to carry was an old TV (the non-flat, anciently bulbous kind) that we inherited from my husband’s grandfather.
We just moved into a new house and the thing is, other than its girth, it’s a perfectly good TV, and also, I like to get things done quickly and also-also, I don’t like asking for help. I enjoy the feeling of self-sufficiency. I love doing things I shouldn’t be able to do and then going to sleep at night thinking, I did that thing. I carried that giant Y2K-era TV up the stairs all by myself despite the fact that I haven’t worked out in over ten years!
My dad jokes that the women in my family get things done by sheer force. Of course, that approach is significantly limited. Someday I’ll encounter a TV that’s too big for me. My strength, no matter how much I prefer self-sufficiency, doesn’t go very far. And when it comes to spiritual and emotional burdens, my limitations, and yours, are even more obvious. We can all think of times we’ve tried to carry the burden of our sin or suffering alone, and it just doesn’t work. We fall back down the stairs and our decades-old, TV-sized shame, pins us to the floor.
Here’s the problem—believing you can carry things that are too heavy for you, be it a television the size of a small train or a secret sin, is an illusion that will eventually destroy you. Crush you. Put you on your back or on your knees.
Something I find beautiful about today’s reading is how humble obedience, gentle love, and Christ-focused service are tied into our joy! The Bible makes a big deal about humble, holy living because we serve a holy God who humbled Himself and bent down to carry the things we could not. It’s amazing. We are broken human beings, not capable of carrying the weight of sin. But, incredibly, Jesus stooped to meet us and died to free us so that we could have His power.
Today’s passages urge us to love people from a place of humility. Of gentleness. Of openness. Of service.
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” —Galatians 6:2
If you’re like me, you might be thinking, “I don’t want people to carry my burdens. That means I’m weak!” But, God tells us yes, we are absolutely weak. That’s why we need Him. That’s why we need each other. Put down the TV. You are not alone.
93 thoughts on "Carrying Burdens"
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17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. – Romans 14:17
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“ the bible makes a big deal about humble , holy living because we serve a holy God who humbled Himself and bent down to carry the things we could not . “
wow! wow! wow!
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“ the bible makes a big deal about humble , holy living because we serve a holy God who humbled Himself and bent down to carry the things we could not . “
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I loved the phrase “Put down the TV!” Such a reminder that we can’t do things on our own.
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Loving this for us
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Hi Melinda! I am praying, God will bring you a friend who will support you and love on you. I pray against comparison (it is thief of joy), envy that robs us of our unique identity, meaningful and deep connection. I pray you continue to meet daily with Christ and let Him fill you up in all the empty places. He would fill you with His confidence and feel secure in who He created you to be: God makes all things beautiful and you are beautiful in him, a working progress! I pray you trust Christ that His plans are for your good and not to harm you. To be grateful for the little things and cherish your baby. Look for something good in each day.
I had ppd and it lies to you. It makes you feel worthless, you don’t matter, you feel unseen, misunderstood, you have nothing to contribute, you are needy, undeserving, lacking confidence to be assertive. All lies. In Christ you are deeply loved just as you are and have a bright future. Keep talking to God! He is active and always working. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:12-14, 27 NIV -
Hi Melinda! I am praying, God will bring you a friend who will support you and love on you. I pray against comparison (it is thief of joy), envy that robs us of meaningful and deep connection, and pride as God opposes the proud. I pray you continue to meet daily with Christ and let Him fill you up in all the empty places. He would fill you with His confidence. God makes all things beautiful and you are beautiful in him, a working progress! I pray you trust Christ that His plans are for your good and not to harm you. To be grateful for the little things and cherish your baby. Look for something good in each day.
I had ppd and it lies to you. It makes you feel worthless, you don’t matter, you feel unseen, misunderstood, you have nothing to contribute, you are needy, undeserving. All lies. In Christ you are deeply loved just as you are and have a bright future. Keep talking to God! He is active and always working. -
Hi Melinda! I am praying, God will bring you a friend who will support you and love on you. I pray against comparison (it is thief of joy), envy that robs us of meaningful and deep connection, and pride as God opposes the proud. I pray you continue to meet daily with Christ and let Him fill you up in all the empty places. He would fill you with His confidence. God makes all things beautiful and you are beautiful in him, a working progress! I pray you trust Christ that His plans are for your good and not to harm you. To be grateful for the little things and cherish your baby.
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