Being Ventable

My dear friend needed to vent. I was “ventable.” Is that a word? I made it our word because, in this world of anger, heartbreak, sadness, brokenness, and loss, God set us up for being burden and weight bearers.

He gave us the goods for being encouragers. He built us for relationships that sincerely matter. Why did He build us that way? Because He, Himself, is that way.

Too often we rely on others instead of first going to Him when we hurt. It’s okay. God wants us to bear one another’s burdens. So, let’s keep our eyes wide open with big hearts that are full of empathy, sympathy, and encouragement.

But being a burden bearer isn’t always easy. We live in a world where everyday frustrations can make us feel like we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders. How reassuring it is, when someone steps up and says “Let me take that load off your shoulders!” God calls us to be there for each other, just as He is always there for us.

Remember the story of Moses? He was overwhelmed with leading the Israelites and cried out to God. What did God do? He provided Aaron and Hur, who held up his arms when he was too weary to continue. This beautiful image shows us that while we’re called to support one another, it’s ultimately God who gives us the strength to do so.

In Galatians 6:2, Paul writes, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We’re meant to share the load, to be there for each other.

Being there for our friends, family, and even strangers is a beautiful calling. But let’s not forget that we are not the ultimate saviors. God is. He equips us to encourage and support, but He is the one who carries the heaviest load.

So, let’s keep our hearts open, ready to empathize, sympathize, and encourage, knowing that God’s got us. He’s the one who strengthens us to be burden bearers, and He’s the one who ultimately carries us through.

“Lord, help us to be burden bearers, reflecting Your love and compassion. Remind us to turn to You first, knowing that You are our ultimate source of strength and peace. Amen.”