I’ve carried many burdens in life. From moving 2,500-pound fireproof vaults to bearing the burden of guilt from years in the pigpen of sin. Then, there are the burdens of extended family disunity, disagreement, and dysfunctionality. Throw in economic and financial uncertainty. And surprises of disloyalty, betrayal, false allegations, and discouragement. Also, as an author, there’s the burden of reaching and positively impacting readers. Finally, there’s the burden for the souls of lost friends and family.
To a certain degree, we all carry some burden. In this life, no one is immune. Stuff happens. Chronic or terminal illness. Unemployment. Financial strain. Loneliness. Sarcasm. Betrayal from trusted friends. Wayward children. Divorce. Unexpected death of loved ones. And it gets overwhelming. Many times, questions creep in. “Why is this happening? When and where can I find relief? What do I do with this burden?”
Some Burdens are Scriptural
What if some burdens are meant to be carried? After all, doesn’t Scripture say, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)? Additionally, those who are spiritually mature “ought to bear with the [weaknesses] of the weak” (Romans 15:1). There’s also the encouragement to, “not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart [get exhausted and give up] (Galatians 6:9). These all seem to imply that some burdens are meant to be carried.
In the Old Testament, we find Moses giving assignments for the daily care and ongoing maintenance of the Tabernacle. While traveling for forty years with numerous stops along the way, the Levites had to put it up and take it down according to God’s precise instructions. To help in this service, Moses provided the resources necessary for the task.
So Moses took the carts and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service; and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service … But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they carried on their shoulders” (Numbers7:6-9).
It’s interesting that some groups received carts to carry part of their burden while others had to carry their assigned burdens on their shoulders. But all had burdens to bear. Some were just more intimately carried due to their holy status. But the fact remains, carrying burdens wasn’t optional.
Burdens to Carry; Burdens to Unload
Scripture gives instruction to carry some burdens while unloading others. Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). A yoke is a heavy piece of wood that harnesses animals together for the purpose of plowing a field or pulling a cart. Thank God, Jesus carries the burden of the yoke while we walk in lock-step with Him.
Even the spiritual maturity of discipleship involves carrying a burden. Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [burden], and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). The apostle Paul mentioned he bore the scars of his burden of carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world (Galatians 6:17).
But Scripture also encourages us to unload our burdens of cares, worries, and anxieties and place them in God Almighty’s hand (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34). We tend to worry about many things outside our control. And yet, our worry does nothing to resolve the situation or circumstances. How reassuring to know God cares enough about us to invite our complete dependence on Him to orchestrate all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
So there are certain burdens we must bear, while there are others we must unload. But how do we distinguish between the two?
Determining Personal Assignment
For those burdens outside our control or influence, we give them to God for His will to be done. There is an indescribable peace that accompanies an unclenched fist as we surrender them into God’s care. He alone has the power and wisdom to work all things perfectly “in the fulness of time” (Galatians 4:4).
But just as the Levites had assigned burdens, so do we. They will differ depending on our God-given gifts and talents, His purpose for our lives, and our surrender to that purpose.
For those involved in ministry, that brings specific burdens of spiritual warfare, human weaknesses, frustration, and fatigue. The journey of spiritual maturity also involves unique burdens. These can be impatience or intolerance of others at a different place on the journey, backsliding, apathy, and the call of the world’s distractions. Pursuing the discipline of discipleship involves burdens of faithfulness, self-denial, and surrender. Even the Great Commission involves the burden for lost friends and loved ones to come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Scripture confirms that all these “assignments” are direct matters of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
What a blessing to know that God promises His reward for those who faithfully bear their assigned burdens.
Blessed [satisfied; fulfilled] is the man who endures [remains faithful under pressure] temptation (life’s trials; adversity]; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).
If God removes a burden, thank Him! If He assigns a specific burden, bear it faithfully. Through it all, may we do everything to His praise and glory (1 Corinthians 10:31)
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.
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