This post is a part of my series of once weekly devotionals called Faith for Thought. Bookmark the homepage for Faith for Thought here to return to it for the weekly update on Thursday!
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Numbers 11:16-17
16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.
Numbers 11:16-17, NIV
Devotion
Since becoming pregnant, I’ve been shocked at how many people have told me they were praying for me this whole time during my infertility/miscarriage — without me even knowing it.
I’ve had relatives, other teachers at school, friends — and even some of you who I don’t even know who read my blog — all reach out to say congratulations. And even more meaningful: Those who have told me they had been praying for me.
I’ve always been a private person, and I still think there’s a fine line between oversharing and opening up. Despite this blog, it’s still difficult for me to talk about things that I struggle with or things that I’m going through. We all like to paint a social media picture-perfect version of our lives, don’t we?
I’m reminded, though, that even in the Old Testament book of Numbers, God never meant for us to carry our burdens alone. He told Moses that 70 of Israel’s greatest elders and leaders would help share in his burden so that he would not have to do it alone.
And although Jesus and his grace are sufficient for us, God even goes one step further for us, too: He gives us people on this earth to help carry our burdens.
Since hearing of all of the people who had been praying for me, it has reminded me that as alone as I felt during this time in my life, I was never really carrying the burden alone. Not only was Jesus always beside me, but I had people praying for me and interceding for me all along too.
And I’m reminded that we are not meant to keep our struggles to ourselves; they are meant to be shared.
Action Steps
Notice that Moses did not share his burdens with everyone. Instead, God asked for him to bring Israel’s leaders and elders; people who could be trusted and counted on to share his burdens.
Therefore, do not feel like you need to open up to every single person to ask for prayer or overshare your deepest struggles with people you barely know; it’s okay to trust a select few people to help you carry your burdens on earth. Whether or not your prayers are answered the way you want, knowing that others are there to help share your burdens will make a difference.
