W.A.I.T. Part 6: Handling Burdens Properly

Life is full of difficulties; there's no denying that. But there are also proper channels in which to navigate the difficulties that life throws your way, along with ways in which to bear the burdens that have a habit of weighing people down.
The body of Christ exists to help bolster each individual and to provide assistance when necessary. Galatians 6:2 even calls us to, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." When we stumble, our brothers and sisters in Christ are to help us to pick up the issues we cannot balance on our own. This is a great system as long as it isn't abused or neglected. Sometimes we can depend so much on others to carry our burdens that we brush God under the carpet, which minimizes His authority. When this happens, God will do all that He can to return to the forefront of one's mind, even if that means taking away those we depend on most. Though this can be painful, it is for our benefit in the long run.
On the other side of the spectrum is neglecting your duty to bear the burdens of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes we lose sight of this because we become too focus on our own downtrodden lives and don't feel up to the task of helping another person in need. So we run and get as far away from the situation as possible. This is not the proper way to handle burdens either.
I must admit that I am guilty of both abusing and neglecting the body of Christ. I have had phases in my life where I depended too much on others and lost sight of God, and I have also separated myself from the problems of others and tried to avoid having to bear their burdens. This is no way to thrive as a Christian, so a middle ground must be located. Once you can find a balance between relying on God and the body of Christ, you come one step closer to being able to thrive the way you were meant to thrive.