Sharing the loads

Overwhelm

1. To surge over and submerge; engulf
2. a. To defeat completely and decisively
b. To affect deeply in mind or emotion
3. To present with an excessive amount
4. To turn over; upset

OK, so this is not from good old Webster's because I didn't have one on hand, but I did hit google for a dictionary and then typed in overwhelm and this is what came up. Why, you might be asking? Because after the last 4 days this is how I'm feeling (see especially 2.b.). I've received heavy news from about 5 or 6 close friends or family members about situations they are currently going through. However, this morning as I was reflecting and just trying to focus and clear my mind long enough to get started on my work at the office a part of scripture came to mind. Now, I'm not so good with references as I should be, but I know of this handy little sight called Bible Gateway (http://www.biblegateway.com/) that you can type in a reference, a category or using parentheses a phrase and it will search and give you results. Since I couldn't seem to call to mind the full exact scripture, I went to the site, typed in my phrase and hit go. Found exactly what I couldn't recall in full:

"8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:8-18

I printed it out and laid it on my desk to refer to quite often today. Especially verses 8-9, 16-17. My Father is so faithful and I am so glad. I'm an emtional person and tend to take on the cares of others quite deeply, so though it is difficult I really can't help but to share someone else's pain, and even more so when I'm close them. So I realized after reading the above several times and meditating a little on it that I'm getting overwhelmed at just 5 or 6 close situations that I know about. I cannot imagine the amount of pain that my Savior took on at the cross (or that our heavenly Father feels when His children are hurting or disobedient) it was for all situations that each person would go through in their lifetime, and it was for all people who had been, who were and who would be. If that doesn't blow your mind, I'm not sure what will! Once again it has all served to remind me that I serve an awesome God and it's a privilege to help carry the burdens of others, but I must remember that it is not I alone who help but He that helps through and in spite of me. He must receive all the praise and the glory that all men should be drawn to Him.

Not quite so overwhelmed...