Tuesday, March 24, 2009

In Other Words--Sharing Burdens

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“To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own. ”
~Abraham Lincoln~


It's been a rough week around here. One of the things leading to my blogging break didn't happen. It was supposed to be a weekend of celebration; but instead has been filled with frustration and disappointment. We're okay, but we are emotionally bruised by the battle that has been waged. Yet, in the middle of it all, we have had moments of forgetting how bad it looks.

How, you may wonder, do you forget when things just look hurtful? By keeping our perspective on the bigger picture and where God is working. And, by not allowing our pain to keep us from caring for others who are in pain. I will not engage in a political drama here, but we have a good friend who is an exec in a certain insurance company in the news. Our hearts break for him, especially since he had only arrived in this job a month before the media storm of problems. God has in the midst of our emotional roller coaster continually reminded us to pray for him and his family in the firestorm they are facing. Somehow what we face doesn't seem so large. At the same time other friends have been informed that their jobs are not secure. Again, prayer and loving support takes the focus off of us and onto God and his purpose in others' lives.

There's been a lot of heartache to share the past few weeks. Marriages breaking apart, job worries, health scares, parenting difficulties, and the list goes on. In these coming days we can expect even more heartaches to be visible. But we can share in those burdens. We can keep God's perspective on them. And in the process we will be less focused on our own. Focus on God instead of self. That is the main thing God desires.

Who do you need to reach out toward to share their burden? Do it. And, if someone reaches out to share yours, accept it. You may be helping them more than you know.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40


Our hostess this week is Susan at Forever His. Please visit the others who are writing on this quote and be blessed today.

14 comments:

Susan said...

... "By keeping our perspective on the bigger picture and where God is working. And, by not allowing our pain to keep us from caring for others who are in pain."

Wow, this was GREAT. Thanks so much for participating today. I will be praying for your friends, and for you and your family as well!

Blessings♥

Chocolate and Coffee said...

Praying for you friend. God is so awesome and bigger than anything this world can throw in our path. He loves you and is in control of all situations.

Blessings!

Heather of Swallowing A Moose said...

In my family we call it 'not stealing a blessing' from someone who wants to be a blessing. It's great to be on both sides- being blessed and blessing another.

Sorry things were so tough last week. I know the Lord will bring you through it with a smile.

Sweet Blessings Sister,
Heather of S-A-M

Laurie Ann said...

But we can share in those burdens. We can keep God's perspective on them. And in the process we will be less focused on our own. Focus on God instead of self. That is the main thing God desires.

Amen! We do need to bear one another's burdens. It's one of the biggest ways I know to take our focus off our own problems, or to put them into perspective. My problems don't seems so huge when I have a loved one diagnosed with cancer, (for the 4th or 5th time!) Loved your post!

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing today, I'm sorry your week wasn't one full of blessings but heartaches instead. We definitely need to keep looking towards that bigger picture we see in Christ as you said. Take care and God bless.

Kristin said...

I'm sorry this past week was so rough. I hope things ease up for everyone.

Debbie Petras said...

As I read your words about your friend, it reminded me that there are always many sides to a story. We can easily criticize when we don't have all the details.

One other thing you wrote that stood out to me was "...if someone reaches out to share yours, accept it. You may be helping them more than you know." Sometimes, I have a hard time accepting help. I'd rather be helping others than to receive it. But how right you are. Maybe by allowing them to help is better.

Paper Dali said...

MiPa,

Please know that I am praying for you and all your loved ones during this difficult time ... You and your family and friends are being lifted in prayer to the Lord our God.

Unknown said...

Beautifully shared. Thanks for the sobering reminder that their is always someone in more need, but "two are better than one..." Yes indeed. Great Scriptures, Great Post. You blessed us today.

Love ya, MB

Patricia said...

Thank you for sharing. I especially appreciated hearing about the friend in the insurance industry. Sometimes we forget when we listen to the news that these are people who need our prayers and support too.

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen said...

Your story is such proof of God's peace in the lives of those who follow His Word!

Funny, I don't hear this kind of commentary on the news when the economy and its troubles are the topic. . . .

God is still in control! His Word will guide us - NOTHING is too big for Him.

lori said...

Mipa,
So true TWO are better than one and you know it was a beautiful reminder here today...we have to look outside ourselves sometimes to only remind ourselves that there are others who are in far worse situations...
Thank you for this post!

peace!
lori

Susannah said...

A beautiful and enouraging piece... well done, MiPa. :~D

The Mellberg Family said...

Yes, we I start feeling sorry for myself, I look around at other people and very soon I become thankful. Looking forward to seeing you guys