Burden Bearing
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
Recently, I found myself sitting across from a young mother and, as the conversation turned toward her unsaved dad, her feelings of despair were quite evident. As she shared how the situation had seemed to go from bad to worse, I began, with much confidence in MY GOD, to assure her of the Lord’s ability to bring conviction to the hardest of hearts and save her father! The very next morning brought my own “storm” and as my first reactions were my own feelings of despair, the Lord quickly brought to my memory my boldness…my confidence in HIS ABILITY just the afternoon before! Had God died overnight?? Absolutely not! But my 180-degree turn of emotions would seem to indicate otherwise. About that time, God allowed me to receive a word of encouragement from a dear friend, and once again, my focus was back where it should be…on the GOD of our storms instead of the storm. While thinking about all of this, I realized how much easier it can be at times to have complete confidence in God’s ability when we are an observer of the storm and not actually experiencing the tsunami-like waves. I was also reminded that there will be times in each of our lives when, although we KNOW what God’s Word says, our current trial may require a loving reminder from a fellow believer. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
In Colossians 4, Paul mentions several fellow laborers and of them, he says in verse 11, “…which have been a comfort unto me.” Trials come to all and when they do, how very thankful I am for those whom the Lord has placed in my life to lift me up and be an encouragement when the waves are raging high. So often, God has sent a word of comfort at just the right time…one that has given me the strength to go on! Praise the Lord! May each of us not only be thankful for the “encouragers” that God has placed in our lives but may we also continually strive to grow in this area of ministry. “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” I Thessalonians 5:11
P.S. – Perhaps you are reading this post and feel you are in the middle of a storm in which you have no one to turn. May I sit across from you for a moment and assure you that, as a Christian, we are never alone. As in the Apostle Paul’s life, although there may be times when men forsake us, the Lord’s presence will always be with us. – “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me…” II Timothy 4:16,17 No matter what our situation is, not only are we assured of the Lord’s presence but of His power as well. HE truly is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” Ephesians 3:20 AMEN!!!
~ Rachel ~