[3 min read—client resource]
Galatians 6:1-2 is one of my favorite passages. It reads, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
As Christians we are all called to care for one another in times of suffering. When someone is burdened, we come alongside and help them carry their load. But it’s often very difficult to know how to help a person who is burdened. We can easily begin to bear too much of the burden, or we may feel overwhelmed by their burden and back away. How can we fulfill the call to carry the burdens of others without becoming overburdened ourselves?
There are three things to keep in mind during times like these. First, remember your role. You do not need to play the role of pastor or counselor. This should comfort you, because it means you don’t have to feel responsible in any way. You simply get to be a friend and fellow traveler on the road of sanctification. The greatest gifts you can give to someone who is struggling are time, prayer, and wisdom. These are things every believer has! You can leave the other jobs of care to those who have positions of leadership in the life of the sufferer.
Second, remember your capacity. You can’t do it all. You shouldn’t be the only person walking alongside the sufferer. If you are, you may find yourself doing too much and exhausting yourself. It’s wise to evaluate your capacity to ensure you are able to fulfill the role you are seeking to provide. And evaluating your capacity includes not just looking at your schedule, but also thinking about your emotional and mental capacity. You may struggle to bear another’s burden if you find yourself in a state of weakness, so it’s important to pay attention to areas in your own life that may hinder your ability to care well.
And third, remember your identity. The fruit of the Spirit is alive in you! God has given you the ability to share in the sufferings of other people and offer hope, comfort, and encouragement in their time of need. You have the wisdom of Scripture to guide you, and you wear the armor of God to fight against the schemes of the enemy. You can stand confidently as you care for others, knowing that your identity as a follower of Christ is your source of strength.
Sometimes we are quick to offer advice or help before we take the time to understand the person we are helping. The best thing you can do for someone who is suffering is to slow down and listen well. What is the person experiencing? How are they coping with the struggle? What would encourage them along the way? Are there practical needs the Body of Christ can provide? These are questions you can ask (and keep asking) in order to know how to help bear a person’s burden.
And finally, pay attention to your own soul. Galatians 6:1 reminds us that in the work of carrying burdens and helping people who are caught in transgressions, we are putting ourselves in the line of fire. There’s a chance that if we don’t pay attention, we could end up caught in transgression as well. Take time to pray and ask God to search your heart. How are you handling the stress of caring for someone? What keeps you encouraged? Are you struggling with a lack of patience or a sense of despair? We need God’s guidance in how to care for our own souls so that we can persevere. And it never hurts to have another person in your life who can ask questions and encourage you as you seek to care for others.