Interaction among people happens all day long. You encounter strangers and friends, co-workers and bosses, family and neighbors. In each of those encounters how do you respond to others? In some instances a blank stare, no smiles is the greeting. In others a full smile and hello occurs. Where relationships are more deeply rooted, a warm smile, wink of the eye, touch on the shoulder, or handshake fits the environment.
When the relationships are more well connected are you a burden lifter or burden burdener? In other words do you lay heavy loads on others or lift them from them? Are you aware of the circumstances others are going through as you engage in conversations or are you only thinking of yourself and your own agenda? If you're thinking of others then words of encouragement and gestures of appreciation will be shared. If you're only thinking of yourself then you'll press your point regardless of the situation. One lifts burdens. One burdens the already burdened.
It may seem like an easy situation to resolve, but like all relationship issues...it is not. Love for the other person and perspective on what is vital to communicate is the key. When helping lift burdens, a gentle spirit is important to the healing process. It would be easy to point out the other persons faults and ask them why they are in the position in which they find themselves. But that is not helpful. It burdens the already burdened.
Giving encouraging words is part of the fruit of a Godly life. Withholding kind and loving thoughts is a way for a person to attempt to control someone else...with their non-response and flat facial affect. As God's Spirit grows in its influence in our hearts one of the evidences is burden bearing and lifting.
So evaluate your relationships...your closest relationships. Would they see you as a burden lifter or burdening them with more burdens? Are you aware of what they are going through as you encounter them?
Sunday, we'll be studying Paul's letter to the church in Galatia and diving into the beginning section of chapter 6. Take a look at these words and examine your relationships.
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load."
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