“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” Ps 55:22

First, you must learn how to carry your own burden. Second, you must be able to help those who are weak to carry theirs. Third, you must learn to give your burden to the Lord. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” Sounds easy, but it’s not, because: (1) If you’re self-centered you will think only about your own personal wants, needs, and plans. (2) If you’re a self-starter and self-motivator you will struggle with the humility required to get down on your knees and say, “Lord, I need you; before I make a move I need to know You are with me.” (3) If you’re self-sufficient you will wait until your knees are buckling and your back is breaking, then send an SOS up to heaven asking, “Lord, where are You?” And He will reply, “I’m right here, wondering when you’re going to start trusting Me, leaning on Me and drawing strength from Me.” Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5 NKJV). The key to success in God’s kingdom is: work like it all depends on you and pray like it all depends on God! Martin Luther said, “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” If He has to, God will allow you to fall flat on your face in order to get you on your knees. If you’re wise, you won’t wait for that to happen.

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

Paul writes, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” You must take responsibility for your own spiritual growth, because until you learn to carry your own burdens you won’t be able to help others carry theirs. Remember the old Vietnam War era song, “He Ain’t Heavy…He’s My Brother”? Instead of always having to be lifted, God wants you to lift others. Instead of always having to be prayed for, God wants you to pray for others. Instead of always needing to receive, you should be able to give. Why is it “more blessed to give than to receive” (Ac 20:35)? Because in receiving, the process ends with you. But in giving, you activate the law of reciprocity. Paul says: “Every one must make up his own mind as to how much he should give…cheerful givers are the ones God prizes. God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others …Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much…Those you help will be glad not only because of your generous gifts to themselves and to others, but they will praise God for this proof that your deeds are as good as your doctrine” (2Co 9:7-13 TLB). When you’re all wrapped up in yourself, you make a very small package. It’s when you open up and reach out in love to others, that you begin to grow spiritually.