“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).

Christian Empathy

If we are saved then we have God’s Holy Spirit living in us, and the Holy Spirit cares when any child of God is hurting.  In our hectic, busy world we need to care too and remember to “bear one another’s burdens.”

Help is not “One-Size-Fits-All”

Each brother, sister, and situation is unique.  If we give the wrong kind of help at the wrong time, then we simply make problems worse and add to burdens rather than sharing them.  We all need various kinds of help in different situations.  We need to proceed with common sense and wisdom as we help bear another’s burdens.  We must really listen to the other person, pray for guidance, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as we proceed.

4 ways to help bear burdens:

1. Exhortation – Sometimes we all need wise, Godly counsel and advice.   Some of our problems arise from situations in which we have to make a choice between right and wrong or between what is good and what is best.  Maybe we need to have someone “talk some sense into us,” provide a clear and unbiased perspective for us, or “urgently appeal” to us to do the right thing.
2. Understanding – Sometimes we need someone to simply understand and care about what we are going through.  We may not want or need advice, judgment, or solutions on how to “fix” our problem.  We might just need someone to listen, care, and know what we are dealing with.  This can make an enormous difference when we are going through a storm.
3. Encouragement – Encouragement is a cheerleader.  Sometimes we  have head knowledge of who we are in Christ, and we may know we can do a difficult task or make it through a problem, but we are not feeling any confidence in our hearts.  We need our confidence built up and reaffirmed.    We may need to hear someone say, “God is faithful, and you will make it through this.  You are a child of the most high God, and He loves you.”  Sincere words of encouragement spoken by another Christian can make a vital difference.
4. Lend a physical helping hand -  Sometimes we all need physical help. There are myriads of ways to physically help each other depending on the situation.  Running an errand, making a simple home or car repair, buying a needed item, babysitting for a couple of hours, cooking a meal, anonymously sending a few dollars for a financial pinch, etc…  Small acts of physical help and kindness are a tremendous help to the person with the burden.

If we are observant of each other’s needs and sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can change lives.  Simple things we do can make an enormous difference and lighten the burdens of our brothers and sisters.  We must be careful to give the right kind of help at the right time and in the right way, but we can do this by loving each other with the same love by which Jesus loves us.