WEEKLY MESSAGE
SUN, 01/03/26 - SAT, 07/03/26
ON THE MESSAGE THIS WEEK: BE A BURDEN BEARER
KEY VERSE: “CARRY EACH OTHER'S BURDENS, AND... YOU WILL FULFIL THE LAW OF CHRIST” (GALATIANS 6:2)
Everyone you meet is hiding something, and it’s not because they’re deceptive. It’s because some wounds are too personal to talk about. When a wife receives a harsh word from her husband, the pain can be too deep to discuss. Or when the husband hears acidic words from his wife, he’s crushed inside but can’t show it. So both parties go off to lick their wounds, and try to avoid comments and questions from others. This same is true of friendships and other similar relationships.
Is that where you are today? Struggling with something too difficult to talk about? If so, remember other people are doing the same! Often their anger is a symptom of their hurt, and their seeming aloofness is just hiding their fear of being known and perhaps rejected. Jesus saw the best in people, and He went out of His way to be gracious to them and lift their burdens. Do you remember how He treated the woman caught in the act of adultery? (See John 8:1-11.) He lifted her up, because with Him every weed is a potential rose! Remind yourself that others are going through things they’re not discussing with you. They’re crying tears you don’t see and feeling isolated in ways you can’t imagine.
So instead of adding to their burden, try to ease it. You may be the only healer that crosses their path today. And when you help lift their burden, God will lift yours. The Bible says, ‘Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord’ (see Ephesians 6:8).
And when you hold on to resentment it feels like there’s a war going on inside you. You’re in a battle with yourself, as well as others. And the more you fight, the more ground you lose. Arguing just drains you of energy and leaves you more hurt and angry. You’re in a no-win situation. You struggle with who’s right and who’s wrong. You spend so much time trying to out-do, out-shout, and out-manoeuvre others that you lose your peace and joy. End the conflict now! Refuse to live this way another day. Don’t allow someone’s actions to determine your reactions.
‘Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (see 1 Peter 5:8). Don’t become Satan’s next meal. Let the love and peace of God fill your mind so much that it overflows to others, including those who have upset you. Stop and think: do you really want to be like the person who hurt you? What would Jesus do? You know! He’d turn the other cheek (see Matthew 5:39). ‘But,’ you ask, ‘what about the wrong done to me?’ What about it? It’s not for you to impose judgment. There’s only one qualified judge; let Him handle it (see James 4:12).
Ask God to help you to release your anger, turn the other cheek, and forgive the one who has done you wrong. Pray this simple prayer: ‘Lord, I’m angry. Help me to let it go. I choose to be merciful. Thank You for giving me the grace to forgive the person who hurt me and to follow You. In Jesus’ Name: Amen.’
This week, ask God to make you a burden bearer.
Have an amazingly incredible week in Jesus' Name, Amen.
(Article/ extract from ucb,wordfortoday)
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Did you know: There are almost 20 different passages in the Bible where it is mentioned that we are God's people.
Ref: Jeremiah 32:38 / Ezekiel 14:11 / Zechariah 8:8 / 2 Corinthians 6:16 / Hebrews 8:10 / Ezekiel 11:20 / Ezekiel 37:23 / Jeremiah 7:23 / Jeremiah 31:33 / Ezekiel 37:27 / Jeremiah 31:1 / Revelation 21:3 / Exodus 6:7 / Leviticus 26:12 / Jeremiah 11:4 / Jeremiah 30:22 / Ezekiel 36:28.