Once upon a time, a long time ago, there were three bears: Baby Bear, Mama Bear, and Papa Bear. In Galatians 6, Paul also tellsa story of three bears.
The First Bear: “Bear ye one another’s burdens” (V.2). This type of burden is simply too heavy for you to bear alone. This burden becomes lighter when it is shared. You learn that two are better than one. When you have a burden to bear, do not resist help, but learn to respond to the help of others. Share your burden with someone who cares. Let the Lord impress you to talk to a certain person you know who really cares. Do not withdraw alone! Pray for a mentor, encourager, and spiritual helper. Then let them know you need to share a personal burden with them. Also Christians should be alert and respond to those who need help. Why? Because we are commanded to bear one another’s burdens. As you care, they share, then you share as much as they can bear. No one should bear their burden or suffer alone. Sometimes you do not need to say anything, but just be “there” in their time of need.
The Second Bear: “For every man shall bear his own burden” (V.5) There are some burdens that you must bear alone. It could be compared to a soldier with his knapsack that he alone must carry. It is compared to a mother with a baby in her womb that only she can bear. Others may be aware, but they cannot share. There are some burdens you and others cannot change. You did not cause it, and you cannot correct it. You must accept and bear it. Paul prayed three times for a special burden that he alone had to bear. He never once revealed his burden. The Lord did not respond, but said, “My grace is sufficient” (2 Cor. 12:9). You may not be able to tell others, but you can tell the Lord. This burden cannot be shared by others, but He can help you to bear it. His grace is e’nuff. God may not still your storm, but He can still you in the storm. As Paul, learn that His grace is sufficient and e’nuff. Trust the Lord to make all things work together for your good and His glory.
The Third Bear: “For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (V.17). You may bear a deep burden from the past. Paul is referring to scars from past hurts. They happened in the past but the (marks) scars remain for life. Some past scars may be hard to bear. Do not let past scars control your future serenity. Let the Lord help you bear your burden – He cares! (1 Peter 5:7). Don’t give the Devil another victory. It is not what happens to you, but in you that makes the difference. Realize you cannot change the past, but you can change the future. Don’t be overcome, but overcome (1 John 4:4). During this time it may seem God is silent. But He is busy working all things together for your good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
The moral of this story is that we need more Care Bears.
This has been the story of three bears.
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