Cast your burden on the Lord . . . —Psalm 55:22
We should never carry a burden alone. In fact, some burdens we shouldn’t care at all. The burden of sin should never be ours. If it is our past sin that burdens us, we need merely to confess and forget. He does. If it is a current sin or temptation, we need to focus on Him and all else dims. We should never bear a burden of doubt, because there is no doubt. He is who He says He is and will do what He promise He will do.
There are some “appropriate” burdens: responsibilities that God gives us, assignments if you will. Even these we are not meant to carry alone. As OC says “God wants us to roll them back on Him— to literally “cast your burden,” which He has given you, “on the Lord . . . .”
Perhaps our greatest failings when it comes to burdens, is our failure to share them with our brothers and sisters. The early church had “all things in common.” I think this included more than their material possessions. The sharing of burdens in the modern church is rare. In fact, we seem to believe that it is unChristian to have burdens. We refuse to admit that we bear loads, struggle, and fear. Because we fail share these things, Satan convinces us that we alone have burdens, struggles and fears. Everyone else is doing just fine. When we admit to a trusted brother that we have a burden, the burden is lightened by the sharing. An honest brother, will likely confirm his own struggle or burden and the devastating aloneness that comes with a struggle vanishes.
As leaders we particularly need to learn this lesson. Many years ago the daughter of our pastor at the time became pregnant and was unmarried. The pastor chose to share this with the fellowship which responded in love. A greater bonding of the congregation occurred. Soon after, when we experienced the same in our lives, it was so much easier to see our pastors counsel and wisdom. As leaders, it’s important that we show our vulnerability and His strength. It’s one of the greatest gifts we can give.
When my burden gets heavy I pray that my relationships with my God and His people are strong enough to share Such can make a a burden
A blessing.
Nick
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