I was carrying a burden and I didn’t even recognize it. Well, maybe I did recognize it but it seemed like such a petty matter in life’s big picture, so I was choosing to carry the burden alone. To talk to anyone about it seemed like I’d either be whining or gossiping – and I certainly didn’t want to do either one. Therefore, I just trudged along, carrying the burden – because I’m strong, right? I can deal with it, right? Right.
Until last Sunday. That was the day a good friend of mine showed up on my doorstep unannounced. I’m always glad to see my friends, but I could tell that she had come with something on her mind. I thought maybe something was troubling her and that she’d come to unload a burden of her own. Yes, because apparently I think I’m the one that can carry my own burdens alone, and then help others carry their burdens too. (Who do I think I am, for goodness sake?)
Instead, she lovingly told me that she had no idea why, but that God had put me on her heart. She had come to ask if there was anything troubling me and she had come to pray with me.
For about one half of a second, my stubborn heart began to blurt that I was absolutely fine. And then the Spirit revealed the truth to me, making me realize that God had sent my friend here for a reason. She was fulfilling His purpose.
So I shared, and we prayed. I wasn’t gossiping, I wasn’t whining. I had a burden and my friend met my need and helped me let God take over the burden.
I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything so immediately transforming. Since that day, I’ve been a new woman. The issue causing my struggle is still there, but it is no longer a burden weighing me down. I am no longer carrying it alone and the difference is amazing.
Thank God for friends who listen to the Spirit and who can help meet our needs. I am so grateful.
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That is wonderful, I’m so glad to hear that you have such a great friend :)
That is amazing! We are called to carry each other’s burdens. Other people do make our lives much easier. I think God intended it that way!
God is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! I’m so glad you are lighter!
Matthew 11:30 Came to mind from the Message Bible:
28-30″Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
We never have to carry our burdens for ourselves. I thank God for good friends!
I love hearing stories about how God works!! What a good friend that took the time to talk to you. Burdens are lifted at Calvary :).
LOVE this! God is AMAZING! Love hearing about “God incidences” :)
An amazing story and a great reminder that we need to listen closely for God’s leading as we may need to be the one to drive to a friend’s house and knock on the door!
Friends like this are such a huge blessing.
Praising the Lord with you! Your post brought tears to my eyes. What a blessing to know the Lord cares about all of our burdens and that He uses His precious children as His instruments of love. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful reminder to not carry our burdens alone. Love and blessings in Christ, Kelly
God is good – I love when I finally let a friend minister to me… it is transforming. :)
Sounds like you have a fabulous friend!
:like: :)
When I get to “see” God work directly through someone like your friend did I feel like I am standing on holy ground! Watching the Master of the Universe living out in people’s lives gives me great hope and courage!
Love you Laura.
I’m glad your friend listened to God! What a blessing :-)
What a wonderful blessing! I’m glad I’m not the only one who tries to carry the burden alone. It’s great that your friend listened to His call and was obedient. He uses us in so many ways!
What a wonderful friend to stop what she was doing and follow what she felt in her heart she needed to do. Makes me wonder how many times I have felt that tug and brushed it off.
I’m so glad your burden was lifted. God bless you, sister!
Linda
You said: “Yes, because apparently I think I’m the one that can carry my own burdens alone, and then help others carry their burdens too. (Who do I think I am, for goodness sake?)”
Thanks for this! I needed to hear it, to recognize it in myself!
Thank you for sharing that. What a blessing for you and you are a blessing to us.
Thank God for our friends!
::sweet testimony::
God is good! What a blessing to have a friend obedient to His Spirit.
What a blessing to have a friend who heeds God’s touch on her heart to help you out. We can’t and shouldn’t handle burdens a lone. But we often think we can. Cant wait to read the other blog possts today.
Oh, how I love how God’s SPIRIT works in His people… Love His omnipresence: WITH YOU! WITH ME! WITH ALL HIS CHILDREN!
Thankful for friends!!!
Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!
I am so thankful for your blog and website! You don’t know how much I appreciate you. I felt like I have been up against a wall in trying to eat right and do right. God knew I needed your help and I thank Him for directing me to you. Thanks so much for sharing your shortcomings, so that I could see mine more clearly! I love this site!
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS.” Proverbs 3:5-6
I am thankful for my husband- we just celebrated 30 yrs of marriage! I am also very thankful for this website! This post tells the way we all ought to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and to each other. Every joint, when functioning to its full potential, supplies to the body so it can grow properly! (Eph 4)
Happy anniversary!
Thank you, Lisa!!
This is beautiful! What a blessing to have friends to share your burdens and point you to the Lord.
Thank you God for sisters in Christ! Where would we be without them?
Precious testimony. And the cool thing is that you (we) may be the one to go to a friend and pray with them! God is so awesome!
So wonderful to know we have a friend in Jesus & that He also gives us friends here on Earth to help carry the burdens.
thanks for sharing your beautiful story. The Lord does amazing things.
I love how God works. He always knows what we need before we do.
How wonderful that the LORD JESUS is never late nor early. HE’S An On Time GOD as the song says.
I too am grateful to have AMAZING friends and family in my life. My friends have helped me through a very trying few months and I definitely would not have made it through without them. God has definitely blessed me tremendously with them. And as you said, it’s not over but at least I had someone to hold my hand through it and that made all the difference in the world.
I am grateful for God’s mercy. My friend got an “it’s not cancer” announcement from her doctor today. She was prepared to be the vessel that God wants her to be – regardless of the diagnosis. I am grateful that it’s not a cancer vessel that she is called to be.
I LOVE when God puts a sister in my path and he does so at just the right time! Thank you for sharing :)
I’m am greatful for sisters in Christ! I love spending time with them :)
Thank you for hosting this link-up. I am grateful for making memories with my little sisters.
I love seeing God’s faithfulness in my life and in the lives of others! It shows just how amazing He really is!
I hear you on that one! I think we’re all guilty at one point or another.
Thanks for getting me to concentrate on the positive. I needed it.
It is nice to have a friend that you can trust to just listen and not condemn you. She was sent there in love and listened to you, that must have been a wonderful blessing to you.
Hi there, this is my first time here. Thank you!
“Thank God for friends who listen to the Spirit…”
Wow. How profoundly simple and true. Makes me realize that the most important thing I can do for a friend is be attentive and responsive to the Spirit’s urgings.
Thank you for your willingness to be vulnerable in front of Godly friends.