The Burdens Of Life

by Micky Galloway

Unfortunately, it is the lot of all men everywhere to have burdens. Some of the deepest and heaviest burdens are not always seen. If we only knew what fierce battles some men and women are fighting, what mighty burdens they are bravely carrying, it would teach us valuable lessons about courage and faithfulness. The Hebrew writer sets forth as examples of faith some who suffered severe persecution, “… and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy)…” (Hebrews 11:36-38). The apostle Paul is another worthy example as he writes in II Corinthians 11:23ff. He concludes this partial list of his persecutions by saying, “Who is weak, and I am not weak?” (II Corinthians 11:29). In Philippians 4:13, from a Roman prison, Paul writes, “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.” Though we view these as courageously bearing the burden of persecution, there is another side to burdens that is often unseen. The same apostle Paul who said, “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me,” had written earlier to the Corinthians, “For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell (us) in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life” (II Corinthians 1:8). Most commentators believe this to be the events that occurred in Ephesus. In fact there were numerous dangers that had challenged his life in Ephesus. Demetrius excited a riot from which he had just escaped (Acts 19). Paul relates earlier, “If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus…” (I Corinthians 15:32). There were also the plots of the Jews (Acts 20:3). There was no human help or hope forthcoming.

In the Bible we learn three things we are to do with our burdens: (1) “Every man shall bear his own burden” (Galatians 6:5), (2) “Bear ye one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), (3) “Cast thy burden upon the Lord” (Psalms 55:22).

Some of our burdens are not transferable. In Galatians 6:5 Paul writes, “For each man shall bear his own burden.” The word “burden” is from the Greek word phortion which means “pack.” It is used of faults, the consciousness of which oppresses the soul (Thayer). Paul is concerned that each person test his own work before God (verse 4), because he must himself carry his own actions along with his trespasses as a load or “burden” before God’s judgment. This “pack” is the whole of one’s duties before God. Each one is personally responsible for his own “pack.” The Lord has given to “each one his work” (Mark 13:34). No one can believe on the Lord for you, or repent of your sins, confess or be baptized for you. No one can answer at the judgment bar of Christ for you. Paul said, “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12; cf. II Corinthians 5:10). It is not possible to get lost in the crowd and ignore this personal responsibility. “Jehovah looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men” (Psalms 33:13).

Some burdens are to be shared with others. In Galatians 6:2 Paul writes, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” In this context, the word “burden” is from the Greek word baros, which means “load.” “The concern in verse 1, help for the fallen brother, is demonstrated” (Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament). Thayer defines baros as, “heaviness, weight, burden, trouble … or that which a person bears, as in Galatians 6:2 (where used of troublesome moral faults; the meaning is, ‘bear one another’s faults.’” This may be a “burden” or “load” of difficulty, sorrow, or pain. We are to bear one another’s burden of this sort. Paul said to the Philippians, “… not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). The key to Galatians 6:2 is found in verse 1. “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” In mutual burden bearing, we should seek to help those about us who have gone astray. We should “restore” them as a doctor would set a broken bone. We help bear our brother’s “burden” when we seek to restore him by sincere reproofs and fervent exhortations.

Some burdens are beyond the reach of human effort and aid. These burdens are to be cast upon the Lord. The Psalmist said, “Cast thy burden upon Jehovah, and he will sustain thee” (Psalms 55:22). Peter reassures us by promising that we can “cast all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you” (I Peter 5:7). Indeed, He has promised to help. He has said, “I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Likely you have sometimes gone into some Gethsemane and prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will, but thine be done” (cf. Luke 22:42). In His grace the “cup” or burden you bear was removed, or perchance it was not. If it was not removed, then He will give you the strength to bear it. In II Corinthians 12:7-10 we note that Paul had a “thorn in the flesh.” Three times he besought (begged) for it to be removed. It was not removed, but God gave him grace to bear it. It was in his weakness that Paul was made strong. So with life’s seemingly unbearable burdens, we should learn to cast them upon the Lord.

Let us be willing to assume those burdens of responsibility that are ours. Let us be conscious of the burdens of others and restore them to spiritual life, for truly we are our brother's keeper. When nothing else can help, let us cast our burdens of disappointment, fear and failure upon the Lord.