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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light.
- Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
These are only a few of the verses in the Bible which tell us that God
wants us to live peaceful lives, free from worries that burden us. The
Scriptures reveal that the more we pray and depend on God for our needs, the
less we will fret and worry. If God doesn't want us to carry our own
burdens, do you think He expects us to carry the burdens of others? Of
course not. Yet so many precious, well-meaning Christians willingly
shoulder the burdens of others, thinking they are pleasing and glorifying
God by doing so. If you are one of these people, please listen carefully.
Only God's shoulders are big enough to carry the weight of our cares while
we live on this earth. He never intended you to carry them for yourself or
for anyone else.
If there are people in your life who have become dependent upon you for
help, encouragement, guidance, etc., please believe me when I tell you that
they are looking for a savior. And no matter how you try, or how much
someone else desires it, you cannot fill that role. That privilege is
reserved for God alone. When we allow others to become dependent upon us, we
hinder God, and we actually do more harm than good. We need to distance
ourselves enough from these people to allow them to see their need for God.
Even if these people are not believers, it doesn't change the fact that it's
God will for them to learn to depend on Him alone. Relationships like these
can be destructive, and they can literally drain the life out of us, if we
let them. Sometimes, the only thing God calls us to do for people in need
is pray for them. That is why it's so important to seek Him in every
situation. Yes, we need to be caring people who reach out to others in
need. But when we cross that line from helper to savior, we need to get out
of God's way and let Him do His job.
Prayer: Lord, it has never been my intention to hinder others from coming to
You. I ask that You show me what to do when people are becoming too
dependent upon me, and I pray that You will show them that it's not me they
need, but You. Reveal to me what my part is concerning them. Give me a
heart like Yours, but give me discernment and wisdom, too, so that I'll be
helpful in ways that please You. Use me to lead others to You so that, like
me, they will discover that only You can fill their every need.
- J. M. Farro
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