Burden Bearing
The scripture states clearly in Galatians 6:1 that we believers are to bear one another's burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. We can best evaluate human need from the outer physical arena issues to the inner man spiritual arena issues. Conversely, we can best address human need from the inner man spiritual issues to the outer physical aspects.
What are some practical ways that we can bear the burdens of others?
A. SPIRITUAL
1. Pray scripturally, in the "language of the Listener".
a. 1 Samuel 12:23b ...God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to
pray for you.
b. 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1. If they are unsaved, pray Romans 10:3, that they might cease going
about to establish their own righteousness and submit themselves
to the righteousness of Christ in this humanly difficult time.
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness,
and going about to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
2. If they are saved, but not walking in good order, pray Psalm 119:59,
that they might think on their ways, and turn their feet to God's testimonies.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
3. If they are saved, and are living an obedient life of godliness, pray
Romans 8:28-29a that God will use this trial to more and more conform them to the image of His dear Son.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom
he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…
B. EMOTIONAL
God has given us great and precious promises to encourage hearts in times of great
human difficulty. If we are to cooperate with God. our encouragements must always be
based on the character and nature of God, and never on the difficulties at hand. Those
scriptural encouragements will meet every need of the human heart, as God applies His
inerrant Word. For example, the following verses are excellent to be used in your
personal communication with them:
. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer
the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son... Rom 8:28-29a
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee
the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart,
and my portion for ever. Psalms 73:26.
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished
in mine affliction. Psalm 119:92
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my
ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:
Deuteronomy 33:27a.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Be not afraid of sudden fear...For the Lord shall be thy confidence...
Proverbs 3:25a-26a
Proverbs 4:23 teaches us that out of the heart flow all the issues of life. Therefore,
encouragement in our responses to various trials must emanate from the very
Word of God, the only one true hope! To offer any other hope demonstrates a lack of
integrity on our part.
2. Send text messages with scriptural encouragements. They do not require much of the
recipient’s time or energy, yet are wonderfully effective.
3. Make phone calls. As much as possible, try not to interfere with the recipients schedule,
as you are aware if it. When you call, it is always wise to ask if it is a good time to call
when they answer.m Calls are best kept to five minutes, or so, to avoid overtiring them. I
recommend chatting, giving encouragement, and then praying together with them prior
to hanging up. That can be altered as needed, according to your discernment in each individual case.
4. Send cards of comfort, encouragement and hope. It is best to use blank cards so that you can
custom them to each individual need. Oftentimes, "Get well soon!" cards are discouraging, if they are in a
particularly difficult situation. Rather than just a Scripture reference, it is always best to write out the
text, as well. It is often difficult for someone who is ill to look up each and every reference that comes
in cards.
5. Remember that you are to bear their burdens, not to have them share yours at this particular time of
difficulty. Be careful not to bring up yours or other people's physical ailments similar or dissimilar from
what theirs are. No two people are alike and your role is to help in bear the burden that they have.
6. As you understand the depth of some of the stresses that they face, it is best to use
the response "I can only imagine the difficulty that you're facing but Jesus understands
all human sorrow", as opposed to "I'm so sorry". ( Discussed thoroughly in "The
Language of the Listener")
C. PHYSICAL
7. Make personal visits. When you visit it is best keep your time short to 30 minutes or
so, unless you are doing a specific project for them. It's better to leave with them still
wanting you to stay rather than having them be glad that you left and hope you don't
come back because they've been worn out.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house;
lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Proverbs 25:17
Discernment will be needed to evaluate this carefully for each individual case.
8. Take small gifts occasionally, when you visit. Be sure not to bring any fresh food items or fresh
flowers if they are receiving chemotherapy, because of their compromised immune system.
One suggestion might be a journal for them to have visitors sign, jotting down the "address'
or reference, and text of a Scripture to encourage them in the Lord. It also give opportunity to note
personal praises, prayer requests, and a diary of how God is using this time to conform them to the
likeness of Christ.
9. Be very careful to refrain from giving physical advice in areas that are already under the
advisement of their personal physicians. It is often very frustrating to receive multiple
suggestions from friends and loved one. Actually, no one person could every take all of
the advice given, because all go in different directions. On every issue that arises, he
will do well to consult with his Lord, his physician, his spouse and his family. Beyond
that, he may choose to thank you for your interest, but follow the medical plan that is in
place.
10. Offer to help them with writing out bills that may be building up, be alert to any
financial needs they may have, help in resolving that by involving those that could help.
It may be wise to involve a financial advisor or credit counselor.
11. Ask sensitive questions that will help you understand them better! Allowing them to
freely talk without "jumping the gun" or reacting.
12. One of the questions to ask is “How can I help?” That may involve some food
availability, food preparation according to their specific dietary needs, transportation
to medical or hairdresser appointments.
13. Consider providing a companion to sit with them, and then take the caregiver out
for lunch or to do a little shopping or to have an afternoon away for some rest. ( Lay
people should not be asked to stay with a seriously ill individual, without benefit of
a family member in the next room).
14. Help them to write down and articulate questions to their physicians or surgeons
with regard to any issues that they have.
15. Offer to provide home care needs, i.e. snow removal in the winter, leaf removal in
the fall, and grass cutting in the summer.
16. Before you visit, call and ask them if there's anything you can bring them. That
may be a sandwich, or a drink, or maybe something that they need to have picked up
at the pharmacy.
17. An offer of babysitting or childcare is often welcomed.
18. Provide times of respite for the caregivers by helping to arrange free time of
relaxation for them.
19. Be aware of the need for light housekeeping, and arrange for that to be done.
Keep an eye open for times where deeper cleaning might be a need. Address that
with sensitivity.
20. Involve individuals from the local Bible- preaching fellowship of believers,
being cautious to not have lay individuals sitting with very ill patients, with out a family
member close by.
(c) 1992, 2015 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy
The scripture states clearly in Galatians 6:1 that we believers are to bear one another's burdens, thus fulfilling the law of Christ. We can best evaluate human need from the outer physical arena issues to the inner man spiritual arena issues. Conversely, we can best address human need from the inner man spiritual issues to the outer physical aspects.
What are some practical ways that we can bear the burdens of others?
A. SPIRITUAL
1. Pray scripturally, in the "language of the Listener".
a. 1 Samuel 12:23b ...God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to
pray for you.
b. 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1. If they are unsaved, pray Romans 10:3, that they might cease going
about to establish their own righteousness and submit themselves
to the righteousness of Christ in this humanly difficult time.
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness,
and going about to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
2. If they are saved, but not walking in good order, pray Psalm 119:59,
that they might think on their ways, and turn their feet to God's testimonies.
I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
3. If they are saved, and are living an obedient life of godliness, pray
Romans 8:28-29a that God will use this trial to more and more conform them to the image of His dear Son.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom
he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…
B. EMOTIONAL
God has given us great and precious promises to encourage hearts in times of great
human difficulty. If we are to cooperate with God. our encouragements must always be
based on the character and nature of God, and never on the difficulties at hand. Those
scriptural encouragements will meet every need of the human heart, as God applies His
inerrant Word. For example, the following verses are excellent to be used in your
personal communication with them:
. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer
the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son... Rom 8:28-29a
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee
the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart,
and my portion for ever. Psalms 73:26.
Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished
in mine affliction. Psalm 119:92
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my
ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms:
Deuteronomy 33:27a.
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct
thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Be not afraid of sudden fear...For the Lord shall be thy confidence...
Proverbs 3:25a-26a
Proverbs 4:23 teaches us that out of the heart flow all the issues of life. Therefore,
encouragement in our responses to various trials must emanate from the very
Word of God, the only one true hope! To offer any other hope demonstrates a lack of
integrity on our part.
2. Send text messages with scriptural encouragements. They do not require much of the
recipient’s time or energy, yet are wonderfully effective.
3. Make phone calls. As much as possible, try not to interfere with the recipients schedule,
as you are aware if it. When you call, it is always wise to ask if it is a good time to call
when they answer.m Calls are best kept to five minutes, or so, to avoid overtiring them. I
recommend chatting, giving encouragement, and then praying together with them prior
to hanging up. That can be altered as needed, according to your discernment in each individual case.
4. Send cards of comfort, encouragement and hope. It is best to use blank cards so that you can
custom them to each individual need. Oftentimes, "Get well soon!" cards are discouraging, if they are in a
particularly difficult situation. Rather than just a Scripture reference, it is always best to write out the
text, as well. It is often difficult for someone who is ill to look up each and every reference that comes
in cards.
5. Remember that you are to bear their burdens, not to have them share yours at this particular time of
difficulty. Be careful not to bring up yours or other people's physical ailments similar or dissimilar from
what theirs are. No two people are alike and your role is to help in bear the burden that they have.
6. As you understand the depth of some of the stresses that they face, it is best to use
the response "I can only imagine the difficulty that you're facing but Jesus understands
all human sorrow", as opposed to "I'm so sorry". ( Discussed thoroughly in "The
Language of the Listener")
C. PHYSICAL
7. Make personal visits. When you visit it is best keep your time short to 30 minutes or
so, unless you are doing a specific project for them. It's better to leave with them still
wanting you to stay rather than having them be glad that you left and hope you don't
come back because they've been worn out.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house;
lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Proverbs 25:17
Discernment will be needed to evaluate this carefully for each individual case.
8. Take small gifts occasionally, when you visit. Be sure not to bring any fresh food items or fresh
flowers if they are receiving chemotherapy, because of their compromised immune system.
One suggestion might be a journal for them to have visitors sign, jotting down the "address'
or reference, and text of a Scripture to encourage them in the Lord. It also give opportunity to note
personal praises, prayer requests, and a diary of how God is using this time to conform them to the
likeness of Christ.
9. Be very careful to refrain from giving physical advice in areas that are already under the
advisement of their personal physicians. It is often very frustrating to receive multiple
suggestions from friends and loved one. Actually, no one person could every take all of
the advice given, because all go in different directions. On every issue that arises, he
will do well to consult with his Lord, his physician, his spouse and his family. Beyond
that, he may choose to thank you for your interest, but follow the medical plan that is in
place.
10. Offer to help them with writing out bills that may be building up, be alert to any
financial needs they may have, help in resolving that by involving those that could help.
It may be wise to involve a financial advisor or credit counselor.
11. Ask sensitive questions that will help you understand them better! Allowing them to
freely talk without "jumping the gun" or reacting.
12. One of the questions to ask is “How can I help?” That may involve some food
availability, food preparation according to their specific dietary needs, transportation
to medical or hairdresser appointments.
13. Consider providing a companion to sit with them, and then take the caregiver out
for lunch or to do a little shopping or to have an afternoon away for some rest. ( Lay
people should not be asked to stay with a seriously ill individual, without benefit of
a family member in the next room).
14. Help them to write down and articulate questions to their physicians or surgeons
with regard to any issues that they have.
15. Offer to provide home care needs, i.e. snow removal in the winter, leaf removal in
the fall, and grass cutting in the summer.
16. Before you visit, call and ask them if there's anything you can bring them. That
may be a sandwich, or a drink, or maybe something that they need to have picked up
at the pharmacy.
17. An offer of babysitting or childcare is often welcomed.
18. Provide times of respite for the caregivers by helping to arrange free time of
relaxation for them.
19. Be aware of the need for light housekeeping, and arrange for that to be done.
Keep an eye open for times where deeper cleaning might be a need. Address that
with sensitivity.
20. Involve individuals from the local Bible- preaching fellowship of believers,
being cautious to not have lay individuals sitting with very ill patients, with out a family
member close by.
(c) 1992, 2015 N. A. Collins
Limited copy permission for one personal file copy