every man shall bear his own burden" - (Galatians 6:2, 5, NIV).
Sometimes the Bible seems to contradict itself. Today's scripture is a prime example. "Bear one another's burdens ... for every man must bear his own burden?"
Actually, the explanation is simple. In the original language, the first burden is a burden like a heavy rock or a weight that one person cannot carry alone because it is far too heavy.
The second burden that each one must carry for himself is like a knapsack, one that each individual is quite able to carry.
When we carry another person's knapsack for him we are being codependent and contributing to the over-dependent-not-want-to-take-responsibility-for-himself person's sickness, which makes us a part of his sickness.
Then there are those people who want God to carry their knapsack. No such luck. God isn't codependent.
And then some people expect those who are caring a heavy rock burden to just give it to the Lord!
Sometimes this is a copout because we don't want to help bear another's burdens. It's so much easier for us if they will just take it to the cross and give it to Jesus!
A dear friend just lost a loved one. The grief was tearing her heart to shreds. Could you imagine how insensitive I would have been had I said, "Just take it to Jesus." Yes, she needs to take it to Jesus but she also needs to take it to safe, understanding people who will perhaps say nothing, but just sit and cry with her, hug her and hold her hand—and be "as Jesus" to her.
We are to weep with those who weep, comfort the sorrowing, hold the hand of a fallen friend and help him/her to his/her feet again. We are to bear one another's burdens when they have been given a large rock to carry. And we are to get out of the way of rescuing those who don't want to carry their own knapsack.
This is one vital way how we fulfill the law of Christ. We serve God by serving people.
Prayer: "Our Loving Heavenly Father, Thank you God that you bore my burden of sin when Jesus went to the cross for me. Please help me to be responsible and bear my own knapsack but be available to help those whose rock burden is far too heavy for them to carry alone. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus loving Name I Pray, Amen."
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