While at work, on a short walk to stretch my legs, I ran into a man who works for a different company in the same building that I work in. It has been a few months since I have seen him, and I wondered how his family and his son were doing. I have been praying for the whole family as they lovingly and faithfully continue to care for their son, who requires 24/7 care.
Through a series of occasional orchestrations, eight months ago I shared a book of mine with him. At that time, I was blessed to learn some of his story. He has a 30-year-old son who was born blind and has several health issues that have worsened over the years. Some of the latest issues include trying to control his diabetes, which has unfortunately not improved since I saw him last. I was sad to hear that.
He mentioned he isn’t sure God is hearing his prayers, but I was able to say that I see God giving him and his wife the strength day by day to keep being able to care, with great love, for their son. I left hoping the man felt uplifted knowing others care, are praying, and that he sees God’s goodness in providing for them as they faithfully walk this path with their son. My heart was filled with love to know God is at work in them.
Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The next day at a church service I heard a message that was applicable to these situations, which made me reflect on them more.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Aren’t Jesus’ words so powerful to provide us with encouragement during the difficult times in life? Have you thought about how Jesus understands the weight of our burdens? He endured the heaviest of burdens, carrying the cross, the burden of all our sins, and even dying on the cross for them. In Him, we will find rest as He shares in carrying our burdens.
So to keep me [Paul] from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. –2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV)
As Paul had realized in his life, the difficult times, or thorns, as he called them, are opportunities to experience God’s grace working in our lives. God’s grace is an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. When we are weak and helpless, God is there, giving us the strength and power to carry on as He helps carry our crosses. We are able to be strong because of God’s presence and grace. Without God, we would be overwhelmed.
Photo courtesy of Martin LaBar under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0)
My prayer is that we all realize the truth of these Scriptures during the difficult times in our lives. To get through these times, we need love, support, and encouragement from others, along with the grace of God flowing through us.
I will leave you with two interesting thoughts to reflect on…
*It is important for us to realize our burdens are lighter because Jesus is with us carrying half of the weight of them.
*Jesus had both Simon, chosen to help carry His physical cross and God’s grace that assisted Him in His most difficult time.
Be encouraged this week to…
…know that Jesus is helping you carry some your load.
…see God’s grace assisting you in the difficulties.
…accompany others in carrying their crosses.
…know when we pray for others, their cross is a little lighter.
REFLECTION:
How did someone else help carry a burden for you?
What burden are you helping to carry for someone?
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. –Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
Note: I will be taking a two week break from writing in order to walk in the steps of St. Paul in Greece and Turkey. Feel free to stop back here and check out a reflection or two! God bless~
Reading this inspired me to give thanks to the Lord for my husband. Too often, I take him for granted which I should not do because he does take care of me and carry my burdens for me. We’ve been married for almost 50 years! Thank you, Lord, for Michael.