Bearing Difficult Burdens

Have you ever shared a struggle only to have someone change the subject, offer a quick fix, or minimize your pain? These urges are normally well-intended and I have them too, even during counseling sessions. Most of us want to be helpful to others, but get really uncomfortable when problems are complicated and we do not have answers for them.

May I encourage you to fight these urges and practice sitting with others’ difficult emotions?

For many of us, it is instinctual to be uneasy with any negative emotions. We really want everything to be okay. But I have found that these urges often lead to fearful and avoidant reactions to life’s problems. Until God transforms our world, we will all be broken and will continue to suffer. Because of this, it is healthier to acknowledge the difficult emotions that are inevitable for all of us.

In the counseling world, there is a term for sitting with difficult emotions. That term is Distress Tolerance. It is used to describe efforts by the counselor to help clients tolerate and examine complicated emotions rather than avoid, shut down, or deny them. Now, there are times to offer solutions and help people focus on blessings instead of negative feelings. But negative feelings do play an important role in our lives. For some excellent insight on handling difficult emotions, check out a book called Untangling Emotions by Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith. The authors helpfully point out that experiencing positive or negative emotions is an important part of how God designed us and works for our good.

In the Bible there are several passages that encourage us to come along side struggling people and hang in there with them through suffering. After all, isn’t this what Jesus Christ the Son of God did for us by entering our broken world as man? The Bible verse Galatians 6:2 commands us to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The word “bear” in that passage comes from the Greek which means to carry and take up. By doing so, we are following God’s law. For great insight on how meaningful this command is, check out to this excellent sermon by John Piper called The Law of Christ: Bearing Each Others’ Burdens..

For now, when someone shares something difficult, don’t underestimate the value of just listening and acknowledging their pain. Honestly confronting the brokenness within ourselves and our world gives us an opportunity to learn how to rest in God’s faithfulness in the middle of suffering. Intentionally leaning into the struggles of others gives us an opportunity to point them to God’s faithfulness too.


72 thoughts on “Bearing Difficult Burdens

  1. Элвис Пресли, безусловно, один из наиболее влиятельных музыкантов в истории. Родившийся в 1935 году, он стал иконой рок-н-ролла благодаря своему харизматичному стилю и неповторимому голосу. Его лучшие песни, такие как “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “Suspicious Minds” и “Jailhouse Rock”, стали классикой жанра и продолжают восхищать поклонников по всему миру. Пресли также известен своими выдающимися выступлениями и актёрским талантом, что сделало его легендой не только в музыке, но и в кинематографе. Его наследие остается живым и вдохновляет новые поколения артистов. Скачать музыку 2024 года и слушать онлайн бесплатно mp3.

  2. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you
    relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what
    youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence
    on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be
    giving us something enlightening to read?

  3. Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually recognise what you’re talking about!
    Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my website =).

    We will have a link exchange contract among us

  4. Hey! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your
    site mobile friendly? My site looks weird when browsing from my iphone.
    I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem.
    If you have any recommendations, please share.

    Thank you!

  5. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally,
    it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point.

    You obviously know what youre talking about, why throw away your
    intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be
    giving us something informative to read?

  6. Simply desire to say your article is as surprising.
    The clarity to your submit is simply great and that i can suppose you
    are knowledgeable on this subject. Fine along with your
    permission let me to grasp your feed to
    keep up to date with impending post. Thanks 1,000,000 and
    please carry on the gratifying work.

  7. Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve keep in mind your stuff previous to and you are simply extremely magnificent.
    I actually like what you have bought right here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which by which you are saying it.
    You make it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay it sensible.
    I can’t wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a great
    site.

  8. Your style is unique compared to other folks I have read stuff
    from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this
    site.

  9. Howdy! I understand this is sort of off-topic but I had to ask.
    Does operating a well-established website such as yours require a massive amount
    work? I am completely new to running a blog but I do write in my diary
    everyday. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any recommendations or tips for new aspiring
    bloggers. Thankyou!

  10. My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different web page
    and thought I might check things out. I like what I see
    so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking over your
    web page repeatedly.

  11. Thank you, I have recently been searching for info about this
    topic for a while and yours is the best I’ve discovered till
    now. However, what concerning the bottom line?
    Are you certain in regards to the supply?

  12. I have read so many articles or reviews regarding the blogger
    lovers however this piece of writing is really a good paragraph,
    keep it up.

  13. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging
    for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site
    is wonderful, let alone the content!

  14. Hi! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa?

    My blog discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you’re interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

  15. Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it
    😉 I may revisit once again since i have saved as a favorite
    it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change,
    may you be rich and continue to help others.

  16. I think everything posted made a ton of sense. But, think
    about this, suppose you added a little information? I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your website,
    however suppose you added a title that grabbed people’s attention? I mean Bearing Difficult Burdens –
    is kinda plain. You might glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they
    write post headlines to grab viewers to open the links.
    You might add a video or a related pic or two to
    grab people excited about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it would make your posts a little livelier.

  17. Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering
    if you knew of any widgets I could add to my blog
    that automatically tweet my newest twitter updates.
    I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some
    experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything.
    I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.

  18. It’s not my first time to pay a visit this web page,
    i am browsing this web site dailly and take
    pleasant data from here every day.

  19. Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up very
    fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  20. Hello! I’ve been reading your weblog for some time now and finally
    got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Porter Tx!

    Just wanted to say keep up the great job!

  21. Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
    I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.

  22. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times
    it’s challenging to get that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance.
    I must say that you’ve done a fantastic
    job with this. In addition, the blog loads super fast for
    me on Opera. Superb Blog!

  23. Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this website.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to
    get that “perfect balance” between usability and appearance.

    I must say you have done a great job with this.

    Also, the blog loads super quick for me on Internet explorer.

    Excellent Blog!

  24. I used to be recommended this website by means of my
    cousin. I’m now not positive whether this publish is written by way of him
    as no one else recognise such distinct about my difficulty.
    You’re incredible! Thank you!

  25. When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment
    is added I get three e-mails with the same comment.

    Is there any way you can remove me from that service?

    Thanks!

  26. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted
    to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  27. My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find almost all of your
    post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Would
    you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
    I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a
    lot of the subjects you write related to here. Again, awesome web log!

  28. I enjoy what you guys are up too. This sort of clever work and
    reporting! Keep up the terrific works guys I’ve added you guys to my personal
    blogroll.

  29. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your site provided us with helpful info to work on. You have
    performed an impressive job and our entire neighborhood will likely
    be grateful to you.

  30. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site?

    My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my users
    would definitely benefit from a lot of the information you provide
    here. Please let me know if this okay with you.

    Thank you!

  31. Excellent pieces. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.
    Im really impressed by it.
    Hey there, You’ve performed a great job. I will certainly digg it and in my view suggest to my
    friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.

  32. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having trouble finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  33. What’s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It
    positively useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & aid
    other users like its helped me. Good job.

  34. Hi just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know
    a few of the images aren’t loading correctly. I’m not
    sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried
    it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.

  35. Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This type of clever work
    and coverage! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve
    incorporated you guys to my blogroll.

  36. Указанным методом азартная площадка заинтересовывает пользователей, а у последних исчезает необходимость на первом этапе переводить на баланс собственные денежные средства.

  37. Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told used to be a amusement account it.
    Glance complicated to more introduced agreeable from you!
    By the way, how can we keep in touch?

  38. I’ll right away take hold of your rss feed as I can’t to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink
    or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly
    permit me realize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.

  39. I’ve been surfing online greater than 3 hours lately, yet
    I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth sufficient for me. In my view, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content as you did, the web will be much more helpful than ever before.

  40. I am really enjoying the theme/design of your
    blog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems?

    A handful of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?

  41. Hiya very nice site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing ..
    I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also? I am satisfied
    to find numerous useful information here within the post, we’d like work
    out extra strategies on this regard, thank you for sharing.
    . . . . .

  42. It’s genuinely very complex in this active life to listen news on Television, therefore I only use world wide web for that reason, and take the newest news.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

At Maranatha Family Counseling we value a whole-person approach to care that acknowledges the wonderful way we were created by God. Our staff specializes in caring for a variety of needs, acknowledging the connections between mental health, our physical bodies, and our spirituality. 

 

Company

© 2024 · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED · Website proudly designed by DCDS

Offering faith-based mental health services to instill hope, healing, and resilience. Guiding individuals, couples, and families towards emotional wellbeing.