Galatians 6:2

Wives In Touch

with God and one another

Galatians 6:2

Dear Sister In Christ,

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly and almost imperceptibly I can pack on the pounds. With my birthday in October, Thanksgiving in November and Christmas in December, I eat too many goodies for the entire last quarter of the year. Ugh! Without realizing it, I gain a good five pounds between my birthday and New Years. That doesn’t sound too bad but walking around with what feels (and I fear looks) like a five-pound sack of sugar in the seat of my pants is all the motivation I need to get into the gym and work off all those tasty treats.

Losing weight is never as easy as gaining, and rarely does it happen by accident. To lose weight requires thoughtfulness, discipline and a commitment to observing a lifestyle of healthy eating habits along with regular exercise and rest. What is true naturally is also true spiritually.

“…Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

In this passage the word weight means: a mass (as bending or bulging by its load), burden, hindrance. As pastors’ wives it is easy to become overweight. Our excess mass and bulges are often due to taking on too many concerns. In addition to our own, we often carry the concerns of our pastor-husband, our children, the church and its members. Ladies, it’s time to lay aside the weight. Whether literally or figuratively, carrying excess weight can lead to health problems. It is impossible to serve God effectively when heavy-laden and heavy-hearted from consuming countless concerns.

Sometimes excess poundage is due to lugging around a load of cares. Cares are those things that distract, divide, disunite or cause to part, a state of mind in which one is troubled; a cause or object of worry, anxiety, concern, etc.

An effective weight loss method can be found in 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Although there are many Scriptures I could use to support the idea of spiritual weight gain and losses, there is one more I’d like to focus on before exploring a spiritual fitness plan.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NKJV

Burdens are those things that weigh us down, anything one has to put up with, anything hard to support or endure as of work, duty, responsibility or sorrow.

Many times pastors’ wives carry around too much weight because we fail to lighten our load. God never planned for His children to bear their burdens alone.
We can become over-accustomed to lightening the load of others, but feel all alone and unsure of who can help us bear our burdens. Consequently, we, ever so unintentionally, go against God’s design and habitually shoulder our own load.

The good news is that it’s possible to learn how to manage our weights, cares, and burdens. Most weight loss regimens say something like: Consult your physician before beginning this or any other exercise program. Therefore, I’d like to encourage you to consult the Great Physician. He alone can prescribe the perfect fitness plan for you.

Just as physical exercise helps to lower blood pressure, becoming disciplined in laying aside those things that weigh us down also helps to lower the incidence of anxiety and worry—those besetting sins that so easily ensnare.
“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 NKJV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

As we grow in our understanding of how very much God cares for us, casting our cares upon Him will become easier. You are of primary concern to God. You are of special interest to Him. When you’re feeling overwhelmed by the cares of life, God longs to carry your concerns because you matter to Him.
“Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

In a devotional on this passage of Scripture Judy Radachy writes, “In our busy lives we must remember to continually cast all our cares upon Him so that He carries the brunt of the heavy load.” She then goes on to relate how, over a period of time, carrying a burden in her own strength without seeing change in the situation led to frustration and anger. That particular incident served as a reminder of how much she needs Jesus, the great Burden-Bearer. “He has much bigger shoulders than we do to carry our everyday “crosses.” “

Lastly, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NKJV extols the value of a friend, beginning with the words, “Two are better than one...” Yes, Jesus is that Friend who sticks closer than a brother but each of us needs a friend, a sister—“Jesus with skin on.” My earnest prayer for each of you is that God would open your eyes and heart to that special person who can be trusted to help carry your burdens.

His love and mine,

Meredith R. Sheppard

Wives In Touch is a ministry of prayer and encouragement for pastors’ wives.
Mail all correspondence to: Wives In Touch, 2803 Breaker Circle, Hayward, CA 94545, USA
msheppard1234@earthlink.net

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