Today I decided to go shopping because I felt discouraged and needed a distraction. As I walked through the crowds, I saw a couple from my church and stopped to talk with them.

Soon they were telling me about the concerns they had for a family member who didn’t have a relationship with God. As I listened, I realised that when we belong to God’s family we feel free to share one another’s troubles. 

The issues they spoke of weighed heavy on their hearts, and I became so sympathetic to their story that I forgot about my own sadness. 

Soon I found myself encouraging them and, in doing so, my own burdens were lightened.

By the time we parted, we were all smiling. We shook hands and went our separate ways. Giving us good thoughts, encouraging words and love to share, God lifted our burdens.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for our brothers and sisters in Christ who share our burdens and show us your love. 

We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.’