What to Do When You Hit Bottom

(Picture credits at end of post)

I was speaking with one parent in a family who have been going through an extreme trial for a considerable period of time. She told me how she and her husband had chosen to deal with it with some success. I call it “The See-Saw Solution.”

They decided that when they hit ground zero in their own troubled situation they would balance it out by taking upon themselves the burden of someone else’s need. By doing so they found they own burdens were lifted.

Think about it. If were continually concentrate upon our own trouble, the weight of it can keep us down permanently. Taking upon us the burdens of others will give us perspective and cause us to see our own troubles in a different light. More than that we will be walking in obedience to our Lord who said: “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you…” (John 15:12 – NASB)

Now, what in the world has a See-Saw got to do with all of this? How can the image of a See-Saw provide a solution for the burdens that often keep us grounded?

Well, have you ever tried to ride a See-Saw on your own? You sit on one end, and hope the other end will just miraculously go down and lift your end up? I don’t think so!

To ride a See-Saw you have to have someone else on the other end of equal weight to balance things out. It can even give you some enjoyment.

In a similar way you can balance out your own troubles by helping to minimize the troubles of someone else.

The “law o0f Christ” is to love one another and Paul, in his letter to the Galatians tells us how to obey that law. He says:

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 – NASB)

The “See-Saw Solution” may be just what you need to lift you out of your despair. Try it. You may just find you enjoy doing it.

Just like a See-Saw

(© Tuesday 17^th March 2915 – by Christopher Shennan)

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 – NASB)

Burdens of life can weigh you down,

And keep you in dire despair;

Just concentrate on your troubles,

And you’ll forget that God is there.

My life was just like a See-Saw,

With only myself on one end;

There was no one else to balance

My burden on the other end.

So I called to God and complained,

“Why are you not lifting my load?”

He replied, “You’re not following me;

You’re walking a different road.

“You want Me to lift your burden,

But your troubles have made you blind;

You don’t know loving your brother

Will deliver more peace of mind.

“You need to balance your troubles

By carrying another’s load;

You’ll find it will lift your burdens –

I’ll walk beside you on that road.”

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Image by Pete Chapman. Copyright. Used under the CC BY-SA 2.0 license; please note the Disclaimer at this link. We have made no changes to the image.

He’s Not Heavy

Picture by Christopher Shennan

He’s Not Heavy

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 – NASB)

What is “the law of Christ”?

It is found in the Gospel of John:

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. (John 15:12 – NASB)

How does one keep this commandment?

By bearing one another’s burdens.

The picture above was taken 33 years ago and made it into a poster with the caption “He’s not heavy, he’s my brother.” The girl and boy in the picture (all grown-up now) were having a wonderful time. The little girl does not appear to mind pushing the boy around. It was not a burden to her, but a delight.

This is how Jesus wants us to love one another – by taking responsibility to lighten the load a brother or sister in Christ. And while we lift the burden, the amazing thing is the burden does not feel like a burden. Love lightens the load.

It is a kind of a paradox.

I have found it true in my own experience that, after I have spent some time encouraging someone going through some trial, I have come away feeling lighter. My own burdens have seemed much easier to deal with than before.

I believe Jesus helps share our load when we are willing to share another’s load.

Someone said to me, “Won’t you suffer burn-out if you keep on carrying everyone else’s burdens”

My answer? “Not in the least. I simply do what we are told to do in Peter’s first letter:

…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 – NASB)

You can cast your own burdens upon Jesus, as well as any number of others you may pick up during the day. Jesus can carry them all.

My Brother’s Burden

(© Friday 28^th November – by Christopher Shennan)

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2 – NASB)

There was no way I could carry

The load that weighed my brother down,

Or even to make it lighter;

I carried enough of my own.

But my Lord said, “Lift his burden,

Just take it by faith and obey;

You’ll find your own grow lighter,

And you’ll walk with joy on your way.”

I lifted my brother’s burden,

As my Lord had told me to do;

I found that His yoke was easy –

And the words He had said were true.

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