It's hard to watch someone you care about struggle against a heavy load, particularly when you’re not sure how to help.
Maybe it's a friend suffering from a chronic illness, a coworker in a painful family situation, or someone at church quietly struggling with loneliness—these trying circumstances can grieve the people we care about.
This month, we’re sharing Dr. Stanley’s biblical insights on our responsibility to bear one another’s burdens. We hope they present an encouraging perspective on your relationships.
There are probably people in every church who feel overwhelmed with heavy burdens.
It could be difficult relationships, spiritual discouragement, persistent sin, or any number of issues. What they need is a fellow believer who can come alongside to help them carry their troubles.
The apostle Paul addressed this responsibility in Galatians 6:1-5:
“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.”
The passage may seem contradictory. But of course, it isn’t. We’re to bear others’ burdens, yet we each carry our own load.
A load refers to a person’s responsibilities. This would include daily obligations associated with work and family, as well as the troubles, frustrations, and trials that naturally come in life.
But the word “burden” means a heavy, oppressive weight that presses down on a person. It can feel unusually overwhelming and might often lead to discouragement or even depression.
Where do these heavy burdens come from?
Sometimes they are the result of someone’s own actions and poor choices.
Paul gives an example of one who is caught in sin and suffering the consequences. Burdens can also arise from difficult circumstances outside of our control—like a prolonged illness or a house fire.
And sometimes burdens result from another person’s actions or choices.
How can we come alongside someone who’s weighed down with a burden?
We can begin by not excusing ourselves from our duty, claiming we can’t help because we have enough to carry on our own.
Paul’s load was extremely heavy, but he never stopped helping others because he knew he could do all things through Christ, who strengthened him (Phil. 4:13).
We, too, can trust that God will give us the grace and strength to carry our own load and help someone else who’s bearing a heavy burden.
We also need to be aware of the suffering of others and be available to help.
Although some people won’t want to reveal their burdens, others are longing for a supportive friend. By remaining sensitive to those around us—and to the Spirit’s promptings—we can approach them with gentleness.
They may have brought their trouble upon themselves, but this is the time for acceptance and grace, not judgment and condemnation.
Practically speaking, what does it mean to help lift someone’s burden?
Sharing a burden takes many forms. It could be as simple as offering a listening ear, crying with someone who mourns, or praying for them in their presence.
Bringing them before God’s throne of grace can be very encouraging for the person in need. Through your intercession, they begin to experience the Lord’s love and care as He lifts the feeling of heaviness from their shoulders, even if their situation remains unchanged.
Many times, sharing a burden involves offering something practical.
It could be meeting a financial need or visiting someone regularly. Maybe it’s an act of service that lifts the weight.
Look around for opportunities to step in. It may mean identifying a person who is struggling to manage life alone, a friend with a family member who is very ill, or God may alert you to someone who needs assistance in an area where you have experience or expertise.
When you bear another person’s burden, you’re displaying godly character as you fulfill the law of Christ. And you can be confident that God will “equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ” (Heb. 13:21).
We hope Dr. Stanley’s insight has provided you with some practical tools and confidence about caring for others. Giving of ourselves doesn’t require perfection or endless resources—just availability and sensitivity to the nudging of the Holy Spirit.
As you go about your week, keep your eyes open to the needs of others.
Or maybe it’s you who needs the helping hand. Let your brothers and sisters in Christ be there for you. After all, that’s the way God designed His family to work.
Till next time, God bless you.
For His glory,
Your friends at In Touch Ministries