WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF BURDENS?

We all have burdens.

Some have a physical handicap, chronic sickness, or some abnormality you cannot change.

Some have spiritual burdens. It may be that “Hurricane Satan” has struck your life and the surge of sin has soaked your soul, and now you are suffering spiritual consequences.

Some have emotional burdens like depression or anxiety, a heartache over some loss, or a financial reversal.

Some burdens are meant to be shared [by others]

v. 2 Examples of burdens to be shared:

· Faults and failures of others

v. 1 When a fellow believer stumbles and falls into sin [not those who CHOOSE to live in sin], rather than pointing accusing fingers or shooting our wounded, we should reach down and give them a helping hand to lift them up, and help them get back on track. We are supposed to encourage/strengthen one another when it comes to faults and failures.

v. 2-3 The only thing which will keep us from doing v. 2, is to think that you yourself are above ever needing this help. There are people like that…they feel they are God’s gift to the church and to humanity, and actually feel good about themselves when others fall…which is self-righteousness, or “value by comparison.” This is self-deception. We all need each other at times.

Sorrow and grief

At any given time at GBC we have someone under a heavy load of grief. We have had a lot of great services recently with a great spirit, but always there’s someone present going thru an awful time.

“Be kind to everyone for everyone has sorrow some kind.”

Tragedy, sorrow, disappointment, depression, and grief will eventually visit the house of every person.