Pastor Claude Thomas Blog

Author: Pastor Claude Thomas

If a person is weighed down or menaced by some burden or threat, be alert to that and quickly do something to help. Don’t let them be crushed. Don’t let them be destroyed.
In the days of Jesus there was a religious group that was gifted at adding burdens to the already overburdened people. They were the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus said, “They bind heavy burdens hard to bear and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger” (Mt. 23:4). Don’t increase burdens. Make them lighter for people. You may be wondering what you are supposed to do with your life.

Here is a vocation that will bring you more satisfaction than if you became a millionaire ten times over: Develop the extraordinary skill for detecting the burdens of others and devote yourself daily to making them lighter. Some of the burdens people carry are spiritual. Some are physical. Others are mental. Then there are emotional loads that people carry. How can we share the burden of another? Here are some simple and practical ways: Listen to a person who is overloaded. It is amazing how much power there is in telling a caring person about the load you are carrying. Somehow, the opportunity to talk to another person lightens the load. Be willing to invest some time for listening.Pray for the person who is overloaded. We can never underestimate the power of prayer. Physically help when a person is overloaded. Help a neighbor who is working hard to move something out of his house. I have a friend who was president of a seminary.

One day he knew a professor was going to roof his house. The president went over and helped the professor carry a heavy load. It was more than the professor could do by himself. So, the president helped lighten the physical load. Point people to Jesus. People are overloaded with guilt from a sin that they haven’t dealt with. What can we do? We can provide a caring atmosphere where they can deal with their guilt and experience the forgiveness of God and the help of His people. We can help others who are carrying a heavy load. And I cannot help but think of the children of our world who are hungry. We can help them lessen their loads.