Bear Their Burden
We’ve all been there, weighted down with a situation or an unknown that at times feels too heavy emotionally to deal with. To make things worse, we sometimes carry those burdens alone or just within a close circle of family or friends. Maybe because we don’t want to burden others, or we feel others may not be able to help, or we’re embarrassed or scared to share with others. Walking that road alone is not what God intended. However, let me flip the model and encourage us, as Christians, to take the first step in helping others to carry their burdens. Paul in his letter to the Galatians said we are expected to carry the burdens of others.
Galatians 6:2, Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Before we get too far into this study, let me just say, I know what you’re thinking. God commands us to rest and to slow down some. But, I’m saying that not only are you to carry your own burdens, but you should carry someone else’s too. Who has time for that? I get it, but you’ll have to hang in there with me while we pull all this together.
First step, let’s put this in context. Chapter 6 of Galatians starts by talking about someone ‘caught in transgression’ which literally means one who has fallen away, not doing the right thing, etc. It continues with we should help them get right with God. That’s verse one.
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
In verse two, which is what I want to focus on today, Paul speaks about someone who has a burden, which is different from transgression, and, therefore, a different or separate expectation.
What does it actually mean to Bear a burden, and what exactly is a Burden and which ones are we to help carry?
Bear = endure, take up, carry away, to put on oneself, Metaphorically: understanding a matter and receiving it calmly.
Burden = a weight, a load (literally or figuratively).
Law of Christ = “Love one another” is the second greatest commandment, see Matthew 22:34-40
To explain this relationship further, following is an excerpt from my book, Bound for Godliness which encourages men to mentor men (also applicable to women). The book is based on the first 10 verses of Galatians chapter six.
“Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2a). The picture that comes to my mind when I think about this verse is two men locking their arms together, each placing the palm of their hand on the other man’s forearm. In doing so, the two exponentially increase the amount of weight they can support on the ‘bridge’ they just created. This is a great analogy to capture the essence of this Bible verse. The word carry means to hold up; support; bear what is burdensome; put upon one’s self. The literal meaning of burden is heaviness; trouble; load. When you figuratively lock arms with your Point Man, you're committing to help hold him up and to support him through his burdens, load, and troubles.
A burden in one man’s life may have little to no impact on another’s life. Burdens can be physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, etc. The husband who is served divorce papers; the man who is laid off in a bad economy; the dad who feels powerless to help his child who is fighting an illness; the man who finds himself so far from God that he feels he could never be forgiven; the dad who is trying to be a godly father but continually fails. Regardless of the form, at times, the emotional weight of a burden can be physically paralyzing.
Locking arms with your Point Man means being there to provide guidance; it means listening without judging him; it means he can count on you to have his back. Let me be clear right here; locking arms with your Point Man does not mean ignoring his failure nor does it mean covering up or excusing his actions. As his Wingman, you are obligated to call him out when he fails. What I am talking about now is being there to encourage and guide him as he works through reconciling and repairing the damage.
Unfortunately, when men fail, our society tends to blacklist them, cut them off from the group, shun them, and disassociate with them. That’s a natural response because there will be tremendous emotional collateral damage and people tend to avoid being caught up in it. However, your commitment, Bound Together, There Forever, will have the greatest impact on your Point Man when he fails, and you’re still there. There’s no doubt that going against the opinions of those closest to the situation will be hard. I mentioned earlier that trust and respect are earned, not demanded. This is a great opportunity to earn both.
My prayer is that you will be available to help others in their time of need. The impact of doing so will be beyond what you can even begin to imagine and can have a life changing or even a life saving outcome.
