Bearing each other’s burdens

Norah Summers November 23, 2023 3 3

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Galatians 6: 1-10 (GNT)

1 My friends, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. 2 Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey[a] the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are something when you really are nothing, you are only deceiving yourself. 4 You should each judge your own conduct. If it is good, then you can be proud of what you yourself have done, without having to compare it with what someone else has done. 5 For each of you have to carry your own load.

6 If you are being taught the Christian message, you should share all the good things you have with your teacher.

7 Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. You will reap exactly what you plant. 8 If you plant in the field of your natural desires, from it you will gather the harvest of death; if you plant in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit you will gather the harvest of eternal life. 9 So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. 10 So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, and especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.

Air it, share it.

Find someone to confide in.

Dare we share our troubles?
What stops us?
Guilt, embarrassment, not wanting to bother others.

Conversely, some folk need to share everything,
and give too much information,
which is a burden to the listener.

Someone else’s worries can affect us –
sometimes we can help or placate the other person,
but often we feel helpless to help –
it isn’t our business,
it is beyond our competence,
it is an imposition.

Let us remember
‘What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear’ (Hymn: What A Friend We Have In Jesus)
and simply take it to the Lord in prayer.

Prayer:

Loving God, we pray for empathy and patience,

courage and grace,

to share the troubles of others,

to offer help if that is appropriate,

to offer a listening ear,

to let them simply know that we are there for them,

to pray for them,

to encourage them to pray.

Show us Jesus,

who “took the world’s weight on his shoulder, for the good of us all" (Hymn: The Word of Life, Iona Community)