Verse of the Day - Galatians 6:2

Carry each other's heavy loads. If you do, you will give the law of Christ its full meaning.
~ Galatians 6:2 (NIrV)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A bunch of people in my close circle of friends have really been going through the ringer lately. Severe undiagnosed pain, the suffering of a child (albeit grown) through a debilitating disease, the emotional and financial stress of needed dental surgery, upheaval on the housing and job front, fighting with medical insurance companies to adequately address an injury, failing health of aging parents ...wow. The list is long, and we're all just sorta numb at the rash of serious issues that are before us. Perhaps you are or have been in the same boat with your circle of friends.

But let me tell you what binds my friends together in this: Jesus. We are friends because of Him. We are family because of Him. And because of Christ's love in us, we can and do carry each other's burdens. As we can in practical ways, but always in prayer. God is our source of strength and we lean on Him, as we lean on each other.

The Word of God says that when one part of Christ's body hurts, the whole body hurts (1 Corinthians 12:26). That's because we are joined together,through Him, to form a single body. It's painful to watch and suffer alongside a brother or sister in Christ when they are going through various trials, but it is what it is. We're connected, plain and simple. AND our love for each other is spurred on by Jesus Himself, and we count it our pleasure to bear up each other's loads. Jesus carried many burdens for others when He was on this earth, and today is the Great Burden-bearer in heaven, interceding to the Father on our behalf (Romans 8:34). Although it weighed heavy on His spirit, He was and continues to be willing to lift up the fallen. All because of love.

One thing to note: it's impossible for someone to bear another's burdens if those burdens are not shared. Sometimes we don't tell people our heartaches and cares because we're afraid they won't care or they'll think we're whining, or whatever. We can get very good at keeping things secret, in order to "keep up appearances". All I can say is that if this is you, you're shooting yourself in the foot by doing that! Let others love you by opening yourself up -- let them help you carry the burdens you're trying to bear on your own.

I am grateful to be a part of the body of Christ. It is a blessed experience to be supported by people who love God and rely on Him for help. I hope you are connected to a local church body, and more importantly, a smaller circle of friends who are committed to Jesus Christ, know you personally, and can bear your burdens in His love and in His power. If you're not connected in this way, I encourage you to become part of a small group in your local church. If you're not part of a local church, get connected there first, and then see how you can get in touch with a small group. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you are part of His body. Don't stand alone as an arm in the middle of nowhere, wondering how in the world you're gonna get from here to there without any legs. :-)

Love,
Joelene