Share each other’s troubles and problems and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Tragic news recently of yet another untimely death. Lately it has been news of young people killed in speeding accidents but today it was the suicide of a 40 year old fashion designer at the peak of his career, the world at his feet. My question is; What was going on in his mind that he could not come to terms with? and Did he have anyone to talk to about what was going on for him?
Some of us share our thoughts and feelings quite freely….. sometimes too freely! But for others it is more difficult, for some almost impossible. Perhaps this young man didn’t feel he could share his heart and if so, why? It seems to me that the fashion industry encourages a very artificial lifestyle. Perhaps there are many like him who wear masks that hide what is really happening on the inside. So too, I suspect that we would be amazed if we could know how many people around us, yes Christians as well, who are hiding heartaches and burdens that are too much for them to bear. The problem is that we usually only find out about them when it’s too late.
How can we help to change this trend in our sphere of influence? As always we have to start with our best example, Jesus. It was the time of his betrayal, he knew what was before him, and he knew that this was why he had come to earth. He was God in the flesh, King of Kings and Lord of Lords but he was not too proud to ask for prayer support from his disciples. In Matthew 26:38 we find him in the Garden of Gethsemane with his three closest friends, Peter, James and John. He said to them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.” He asked for their help in his darkest hour. We are not sure how long they stayed awake and prayed for him but the important thing I want to take out of this passage is that Jesus bared his soul to his friends. He shared his burden.
There is a saying that a burden shared is a burden halved. I think there is some truth in that. In bringing our troubles into the light, a lot of their power to depress us is taken away. Many of us, particularly if we have been Christians for a long time, seem to have the feeling that we are supposed to ‘have it all together’; that we should not show weakness or vulnerability. If Jesus could do it, I venture to say that we should too. Doing this may just help people to feel that they too can share their heart or need and find a place of support in their trials. It’s hard to share with someone who has it all together.
Let’s aim to be honest with our own needs, and also caring and confidential so that we can be a safe listening ear for those who may need to unburden their soul and be encouraged and strengthened through our loving prayer support.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that I can be honest about my vulnerabilities and burdens. Help me to not only know how to listen to others but also to allow others to share my burdens too. Help me not to be a prisoner of my problems. Amen
Tragic news recently of yet another untimely death. Lately it has been news of young people killed in speeding accidents but today it was the suicide of a 40 year old fashion designer at the peak of his career, the world at his feet. My question is; What was going on in his mind that he could not come to terms with? and Did he have anyone to talk to about what was going on for him?
Some of us share our thoughts and feelings quite freely….. sometimes too freely! But for others it is more difficult, for some almost impossible. Perhaps this young man didn’t feel he could share his heart and if so, why? It seems to me that the fashion industry encourages a very artificial lifestyle. Perhaps there are many like him who wear masks that hide what is really happening on the inside. So too, I suspect that we would be amazed if we could know how many people around us, yes Christians as well, who are hiding heartaches and burdens that are too much for them to bear. The problem is that we usually only find out about them when it’s too late.
How can we help to change this trend in our sphere of influence? As always we have to start with our best example, Jesus. It was the time of his betrayal, he knew what was before him, and he knew that this was why he had come to earth. He was God in the flesh, King of Kings and Lord of Lords but he was not too proud to ask for prayer support from his disciples. In Matthew 26:38 we find him in the Garden of Gethsemane with his three closest friends, Peter, James and John. He said to them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.” He asked for their help in his darkest hour. We are not sure how long they stayed awake and prayed for him but the important thing I want to take out of this passage is that Jesus bared his soul to his friends. He shared his burden.
There is a saying that a burden shared is a burden halved. I think there is some truth in that. In bringing our troubles into the light, a lot of their power to depress us is taken away. Many of us, particularly if we have been Christians for a long time, seem to have the feeling that we are supposed to ‘have it all together’; that we should not show weakness or vulnerability. If Jesus could do it, I venture to say that we should too. Doing this may just help people to feel that they too can share their heart or need and find a place of support in their trials. It’s hard to share with someone who has it all together.
Let’s aim to be honest with our own needs, and also caring and confidential so that we can be a safe listening ear for those who may need to unburden their soul and be encouraged and strengthened through our loving prayer support.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that I can be honest about my vulnerabilities and burdens. Help me to not only know how to listen to others but also to allow others to share my burdens too. Help me not to be a prisoner of my problems. Amen
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