63 BE A BURDEN BEARER, NOT A BURDEN

One spouse confessed, “I hate going home at the end of my work day. Everything there is so heavy. My mate is just waiting for me to listen to all the day’s burdens.”

It’s irrational to believe that we must be upset by the problems of others. Being a burden bearer doesn’t mean feeling upset about your spouse’s burdens. Rather, bearing burdens involves helping a mate take those cares and problems to the Lord. How does that happen? We bear each other’s burdens by … Debriefing each other, not dumping on one another.

Listening without trying to diagnosis or fix the burden.

Caring with empathy instead of sympathy.

Responding with joy and faith instead of despair and doubt.

Focusing our attention on the problem-solver, Jesus, instead of the problem

Praying together.

Crying and laughing together.

Validating one another’s feelings.

Comforting one another.

Try this: After sharing burdens, take them in prayer to Jesus and releasing them instead of dwelling on them.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

1 Thess. 5:11