Inside: Sometimes we have to break apart before we can be put back together. But when our burden is too great to bear, God’s grace is still sufficient. ~
During an especially exhausting season of my life, I saw this quote somewhere: “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”
Google says this statement may have originated with legendary football coach Lou Holtz or actress Lena Horne. Whoever said it first, I get the point. But I also don’t think it applies to every situation.
When you’re going through a rough patch or struggling to complete a difficult assignment, it’s beneficial to educate yourself about what to expect, how to proceed and the most effective ways to do things. It can help to have people alongside you, praying for you, cheering you on or even shouldering some of the weight.
Strategy is important. Support groups help. Friends are a comfort.
Even So …
In some cases, though, it doesn’t really matter how you carry the load. Some loads simply cannot be shared, at least not all the time. In these instances, you don’t break down because you have poor coping skills or your support system isn’t strong enough or your faith is too small.
You break down because the load is too heavy, for too long.
The breaking down might happen for the world to see. Or it might occur in the silent, secret places of your soul that are known only to you and God. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, when it happens.
Sometimes we have to break apart before we can be put back together. That might provide some degree of hope, but it doesn’t make it any easier at the time.
Biblical Encouragement
When the burden is the kind that may never go away, the scriptures remind us that God’s grace is sufficient. When we don’t understand, when we can’t fix it, when we feel powerless to pray—when we feel nothing at all—His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Even if we stop casting our cares upon Him, He never stops caring for us.
If you’re anything like me, you might not realize how heavy your load was until it fades away or rolls off or crumbles in a million pieces. You might not realize how heavy your load has been for the people closest to you until it’s lifted from your shoulders.
First Peter 5:10 assures us that “the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.”
We’re not given a timeline for this promise, of course. And though I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, when relief finally comes, it sometimes brings with it grief or pain we weren’t anticipating.
Signs of Life
If it’s not one thing, it’s another. I’ve never seen this truth etched on a motivational sign, but as long as we’re living within the confines of earthly time, we can expect to be carrying one burden after another.
Troubles, heartaches and pain are not signs of weak faith or no faith. They are part of life. Maybe they are even signs of life.
It’s a refrain that’s becoming more and more familiar to me, the older I get.
There is joy in the journey, but it’s a long walk home.
♥ Lois
God's strength is made perfect in our weakness—when we don’t understand, when we can’t fix it, when we feel powerless to pray, when we feel nothing at all. Share on X Troubles, heartaches and pain are not signs of weak faith or no faith. They are part of life. Maybe they are even signs of life. Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with Senior Salon Pitstop, InstaEncouragements and Let’s Have Coffee.