Galatians 6:2 says: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” One day I was at a woman’s conference and at one point we were invited to write out our prayer request and bring them to the front, to lay it on the altar (a basket which held the slips of paper). This would represent our prayers being lifted to the Lord, and laid at His feet on the altar. I was sobbing so hard I couldn’t get up from my seat. I was embarrassed by the emotions which overtook me, and frustrated that I did not have the ability to go forward.

Suddenly a very kind woman came up to me and knelt beside me, offering to take my slip to the altar. She said to me, “Just as Simon from Cyrene helped Jesus carry his cross and his burden to the altar of sacrifice on Calvary, please allow me to carry this burden for you.” I’ll never forget that. I will always remember the kind heart, the loving grace and the incredible love my Savior has for me, through the gentle act of that one woman.

Angela Thomas from her book Living Your Life as a Beautiful Offering says: “Burdens are meant to be carried. Broken hearts and broken lives don’t get put back together while you’re laying on your bed in the dark. They get healed inside the arms of healthy love.”

Psalm 34:18 promises that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds. Let the loving arms of your Lord come around you today through the hug of a friend or family member who has encircled your life with prayer. If you do not have someone in your life right now that shares this kind of relationship with you, remember that He is always with you and never leaves or forsakes you. (Heb. 13:5)