The Weight of Burdens

Something that I have been thinking deeply about lately is why we walk around with so much weight.

I am not talking about physical weight, but the weight of burdens, stress, and heartache.

We are broken people in a broken world, in need of a Savior. Our Savior has extended His hand out to us, desiring an unconditional relationship with us. A relationship that involves heartfelt intimacy, opportunity to rest in His presence, and candid conversations. In fact, just this weekend, my husband is sitting in the woods, Bible in one hand, coffee in the other, and often a gun in between. I know for him spiritually, this is such an important time. In thinking about this, I think about our relationship with others. Those candid, heartfelt, meaningful conversations.

With God, often times (at least for me personally), the first words that come out of my mouth in a prayer, are my needs. I try to catch myself in that because I am SO quick to just tell God all my wants and desires, and what I think are needs. Though some are legit needs – a need for His grace and peace. So here I am, telling God all about myself, what I need, etc. I can so openly tell God about the bad, releasing those weighty burdens.

Then I look at our human relationships. We all walk as image bearers of Him. Granted often scarred and broken – but we are representations of Him. I know our fellow Christian neighbors aren’t God. We are image bearers. I realize that. But this is what I struggle with:

Why we are so open to telling everyone about our good days and all the good things happening in life, but clam up when it comes to talking about the bad.

If we are Christ’s image bearers, walking on this earth with fellow believers who are gifts from God, why do we treat others as not able to walk with us in those struggles, and only save the bad for God?

I am NOT saying that we shouldn’t share our burdens from God – in fact, we should go to Him first and foremost ALWAYS. But I think as Christians, we have to be okay with sharing our whole selves – not worrying about what others things. Share our bad days too. I have met people who walk with burdens they have never shared with anyone before. They often say “I didn’t think anyone cared.”

I understand that there are trust issues. Dan and I struggle with that. We know opening up about our situations in life leave room for judgment, scrutiny, and opinions. But when we have talked about our struggles and burdens, it has allowed fellow Christians to walk alongside of us, cheering us on. We truly believe we would not have gotten through what we did, without the support of others. God used MANY, I mean MANY people in our lives during last year (and this year too…and continually…) to get us through some of the most difficult times in our life.

That weight has felt so much lighter. I get so nervous sometimes talking about situation for fear of what others might think. That is why God feels “safe.” (And we should feel that way because HE IS!). But what if we started to open up more about our bad days – can you imagine the encouragement we would get from one another? Some things are meant to be confidential – Dan and I are HUGE supporters of that. Some things others just can’t share. I get that. But know that on this earth, know that you don’t have to walk alone.

Some are waiting to hear “the true story.” Your friends. Maybe even your family members. Imagine what it can do to your relationship – it may be hard at first, but imagine the weight lifted?

Spur each other on. Towards love. Lets walk with each other. God has purposefully given us each other, to share our burdens with. Lets listen to that and apply it. Be ready to listen. It takes time. But it will be worth it!

Let God be your first. But know He has given us each other as representations of Him – so really we have no excuse – we will never walk alone!