Bearing it A L O N E ?

Recently i had the chance to speak more with a dear girl in church. It began as an approach of discipline over something that i felt she had not handled well. But as i waited to pray before going to her, an incomprehensible compassion for her welled up and i spoke to her really gently.

The compassion deepened as i realised thru' talking with her, that she was struggling with something that i myself had struggled hard with before - an inability to ask for help. Yes, she bore these familiar mentalities - "i don't want to burden my loved ones...", "i just can't admit my needs in front of others..", etc.

Our families do not communicate a lot, that could be one common root factor. But beyond recognising this, i wanted her to know that no one can bear it all him/herself. I was brought to remember who finally convicted me in this. It was none other than Jesus.

In Jesus' darkest hour of pain and helplessness, kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane, do you remember what He said?


(To His closest disciples Peter, James and John) "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here... and keep watch with me" ~ Matthew 26:38b

Read on about Jesus' moments of anguish: (Click on image)

If even Jesus asked for support and companionship during such times, who are we to think that we can bear it alone?

* * *

What God says in the Bible about companionship:

*Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

*As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" (1 Corinthians 12:20-21)


Thanks for reminding me about this, girl. So remember, there is absolutely nothing wrong in asking for help and support when you really need it.

Need a hand, an ear or a shoulder today? Borrow mine. =)