DEALING WITH LIFE’S BURDENS
GALATIANS 6:2-5
INTRODUCTION: There’s an old Spanish proverb that reads, “No home is there anywhere that does not sooner or later have its hush.” There are some people today who are so low they could play racquetball on the curb. We all find out that every path has a few puddles. I once had a professor who used to tell us “Be kind to everyone because everyone is having a hard time.”
Burdens are a fact of life. What’s yours? Sin, sickness, sorrow? Doubt, disappointment, despair? Regret, remorse? Guilt, grief? Divorce, debt, defeat? Family, finances? They are a thousand-fold. Some are seen and heard. Many are not. If we only knew what burdens some are carrying, we would show more restraint in judging and more compassion in ministry.
How do we deal with burdens? Listen up.
I. BEAR YOUR OWN BURDEN (6:5)
These are burdens that are non-transferable. Much of life is lived alone. It means there are times when you have to stand on your own two feet. There are certain hardships you have to deal with alone.
In the NIV it reads “Carry his own load.” Not only must you carry your own woes but your own work! You have a place to fill, a task to face, a duty to do and a life to live. You have a load to carry in life and ministry. Are you doing your share? Pulling your load? When it comes to the budget, service and ministry of your church how do you measure up? C.H. Spurgeon wrote, “If you’re not giving your church your best, you don’t deserve to have your name carried on its roll.”
II. BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS (6:2)
In this context it means to help those who have gone astray. Recover them doing wrong.
Burdens here refer to heavy loads, or weighty issues. What all does this entail?
A. Be Like Jesus He went about doing good. The best sermons are lived, not preached. Be an example. Gladstone said, “One example is worth a thousand arguments.”
B. Believe In People Jesus did. Look at the disciples. Better yet, look at you!
C. Build Others Up Encourage. People don’t need weights, they need wings.
III. CAST YOUR BURDENS ON THE LORD
See Psalm 55:22. We might could put it this way. Some burdens are to be shouldered. Some are to be shared, but all are to be shifted. What happens? He “sustains” us. Sometimes He may remove the burden. If He doesn’t remove, He will re-enforce. See 2 Cor. 12 – Paul's thorn on the flesh. He found out God’s grace is sufficient.
CONCLUSION: Did it ever occur to you that your burden may be your biggest blessing!
