Who's Load Are You Carrying?

"2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." Galatians 6:2-3 NLT

My Pastor did a two part message in Drama. It was so good! Here is a link if you'd like to listen to the podcast! https://subsplash.com/providence/media

As Christians, we have read Scriptures like the one I posted above and thought that we are called to help everyone, that it's wrong if we decide not to help someone... we even feel guilty at times for not helping people.

Let me tell you, if you continue to help people who aren't helping themselves you are being  a fool.

"A fool is someone who continually behaves in a way that hurts others and themselves." That's the definition Josh gave us for a fool. I believe it is true for both sides, the people who are not doing right, and some of the people who think they are.

We are called to carry each others burdens... BUT we are responsible for carrying our own load. There is a difference.

"The most loving thing you can do for someone is let them experience the consequences of their pain." 

THAT is hard to do. Especially when you love someone. We only want the best for our loved ones. However, if we continue to bail them out, we aren't helping them at all.

"The greatest motivator for change is pain."

OUCH! That's hard to hear too. I look back on my life though, and it's correct. I have changed and grown through the different painful experiences. 

Boundaries are a good thing. It is ok to have boundaries up to protect yourself from people who need to start helping themselves.

Here are 3 ways to see if it's time to give assistance:

1. Is this something they can provide for themselves? Are they unable to or unwilling?
2. Am I feeling cheerful? God loves a cheerful giver. Check yourself.
3. What is the outcome of my giving? Am I hoping to change someone else?

Stop carrying other people's loads. That's their job. You can pray for them, and carry their burdens, but not their load.

God bless you today and always!