In the past few days, I have been made aware of how many of us work hard and run from “good” activity to “necessary” activity but do so while nursing pain in our lives. We have this belief that if we get back to work or crowd our lives with activity it (the pain) will eventually go away. We dig in and “serve the Lord,” but when we do so with pain or hurt, it can turn to scars and scabs on our hearts and attitudes.
I know this to be true because I am a leader who does what others desire and says what others want to hear. I confess to being human and hurting when others slander me, my direction, or my goals. Each time this happens, it is like stubbing a toe or a scratch on the arm. We realize there is pain, say “ouch,” and then get back at whatever we were doing. But if we don’t take these “owies” before the Lord and let Him carry them, or tell a Christian brother or sister so they can pray with and support us, we can become overwhelmed, cynical, and bitter. Lord, please help us to never reach that point. We all feel pain and need to look to our brother or sister in the Lord, and ask “how are you really feeling?” with a goal to listen and help. Let us be people of prayer and be caught in the act of prayer often with genuine hearts for our brothers and sisters in Christ. We live in a painful world, but God has given us a body of believers to weather the storms together. Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
ACTION POINT:
Open your eyes to those around you. Pray for an opportunity to help “carry” another Christian’s burden. Ask at least one person by the end of this week “how are you really doing?” or “what can I do to help you?” – then do it! It is contagious!
