“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. 

We all carry burdens in this life, but the word of the Lord in Galatians 6:1 admonishes us to “Bear ye one another burdens, and so fulfilling the law of Christ.” I recall a story that went as follows: once there were two adjoining fields; one field was well-kept, with lush green pastures and healthy, bountiful sheep. The shepherd was a good, loving shepherd. On the other side of the fence, however, the field was poorly kept, and the sheep were puny and lacked consistent care. Of course, the shepherd was cruel and hateful, and he obviously mistreated the sheep.

One day, one of the sickly sheep managed to make it to the fence that divided the fields. There he fell, lying in poor condition and unable to move. One of the well-nourished and fatted sheep came to the fence and gazed over at him. At that moment, the ill sheep looked up and said, “Go ahead and laugh at me… I know you have been well treated, and here I lay unable to be compared…go ahead.” 

The well-nourished sheep replied, “No, I am in no position to laugh or scorn you for your condition; it is only because of the grace and mercy of my good shepherd that I am not in the same predicament as you are now!” 

My friends, it is only by the grace of Almighty God that we make it through whatever situations life may bring our way. The word of the Lord commands us to love one another. That includes bearing one another’s burdens when the load we carry gets much too heavy to bear alone. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. 

As born-again believers, let us never forget that we are one body in Christ; we feel the loss, hurt, and pain of one another. Therefore, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6:2-3.

In this world, human nature teaches us to put ourselves first, and if we dare to think that we are somehow more significant or stronger than another, or, God forbid, self-reliant in some way, may God have mercy on us. Let us all examine ourselves; for it is only by GOD’S AMAZING GRACE that we are saved, and His tender mercies are renewed toward us every morning! “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lamentations 3:22.

Only that Great Shepherd of the Sheep, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is able to provide, sustain, and keep us forever. It is because His strength is made perfect in our weakness that we are able to breathe, move, and safely travel on this journey called life! “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

So, let us humble ourselves, praying for one another, and as much as possible bearing one another’s burdens. Remember that the sun shines on the just as well as the unjust, and all of our help comes from the “Good Shepherd” of the sheep! “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14-15.

May God’s peace and grace be with you all, now and always!