Carrying Burdens

It's pretty late (for a school night). For the second night in a row, I cannot sleep. Last night it was because I bought my plane ticket to go home for Christmas, and the excitement kept me from sleeping. Tonight it is a much different reason.

Ever have one of those days or weeks when you realize that while everything is going great for you personally, those around you are in pain and there's nothing that can be done? What do you do when a friend tells you news that is causing them and their family so much pain, and there are no words? Sometimes there truly just are not words. Especially if it is a situation that we have no personal experience with.  Maybe that is where the whole "carry each others' burdens" thing comes to play. Perhaps that doesn't translate to "Say encouraging things and look up Scripture to help them feel better or see things the correct way." Let's just be honest, how many times have you had something horrible happen and all you get is cheesy cliched quotes that make you feel everything but relieved or encouraged. Maybe I'm saying this because it is a pet peeve of mine, but it's also honest.

Possibly to carry another person's burden means something more along the lines of keeping my mouth shut, even in trying to find the right words for prayer. Perhaps it means to feel their sorrow also; to experience their pain, to cry for them. Or to have that horrible sinking feeling in the bottom of your heart and offer that to God instead of words. Especially if their sorrow and pain is so great that they cannot bring themselves to go to Him themselves. When there is a lack of knowing what to say in response to their news, many of us say "I'm praying for you." Maybe it should be "I'm crying for you" or "I'm hurting for you" instead. Turning to God and seeking his Greatness means more than just saying words.