Daily Devotional - December 21st, 2025
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
“True charity lifts the load from a weary soul without stealing the strength from their hands.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
To bear another’s burden is a sacred calling, but it is not a call to carry what God intends others to learn to lift. Compassion and responsibility are not enemies. They are partners. When we confuse mercy with indulgence, we may quiet today’s pain while weakening tomorrow’s resolve. Real love sees both the present struggle and the future character being formed.
A parent who ties a child’s shoes every day may save time, but a parent who teaches the child to tie them gives a gift of independence. In the same way, we can step in too quickly, smoothing every rough edge, and unintentionally rob others of growth. Bearing burdens means walking alongside, not replacing the journey. It means offering strength without substituting for effort, guidance without removing accountability.
Christ is our perfect example. He healed, taught, and forgave, yet He also said, “Go, and sin no more.” He met people in their weakness but never affirmed it as their destiny. His help restored dignity because it called forth repentance, faith, and action. When we follow Him, our service does not create dependence. It awakens agency. Bearing burdens in a Christlike way strengthens both the giver and the receiver, aligning mercy with truth and love with moral law.
Scripture:
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2
Daily Application:
Examine one relationship where you offer help and ask whether your support builds long-term strength or quiets short-term discomfort, then adjust your actions to encourage responsibility.