These past few weeks have been some of the toughest I have faced in a long while. Things that have happened, choices that have been made, and the challenges that I have be faced with have all weighted heavy on my soul. It is not just for me, news of ones mother facing cancer, fractured relationships, and a sense of lost hope. In the middle of this I am burdened but I am not overwhelmed. My relief comes from the community that I have around me, my wife, friends, co-workers, and others who are invited into the conversation. These people are my earthly anchors and it is God who is my eternal anchor, going back to His Word for comfort and strength.
Over the last year or so God has been showing me how valuable community is. The ability to rely on others in times of need. This has never been my strong suite and I have dealt with a lot of things on my own, where my burden could have been lightened if I has leaned on another. We see in scripture that no one person has all the answers, but rather we are a body of believers, each with a gift or talent that we can use to minister to others. What we need to do is reach out and ask (not always and easy thing to do) for help or when help is offered be willing to accept it (again not always an easy thing to do).
The most valuable relationship we have is our relationship with God. He is there to comfort and guide us in our times of trial. God uses our trials to transform us into the person God created us to be. I found my comfort in key pieces of scripture – Proverbs 3:5-6, James & 1 John – trust, wisdom in trials and being a child of God.
When trials and troubles come your way seek out those in your community of friends who will stand with you through the struggles, seek out God who will be there always, find comfort in His Word. Don’t try and do it alone, the burden is just to heavy – let God and others help you carry it.
