Being burdened heavily for others

[bvwsmaker]

It's been a long since my heart was heavily burdened for friends who don't know the Lord. Where it seems I've got to pray for them! Talk to them (more often)! Be bolder in my talks with them.

I'm curious to hear your stories of being burdened for others. And if you're burdened now for someone and what you do about it.

Maybe this thread can end up with some wonderful wisdom and encouragement in it!

 

[Metwo]

Like always I have a story but I can't post it all right now. I will have to come back to it later, but it deals with a friend of both my wife and mine. To put it mildly - The situation is very sad.

 

[Heart of a Seeker]

My burden right now is the women who come into my work. I think if it wasn't for the Holy Spirit laying them on my heart and showing me how to love on each of them, I would have left this job a long time ago. There are so many lost, very unhappy people who NEED Jesus and need to know how much He loves them.

 

[PearlsofWisdom]

I believe I am heavily burdened for my sister, Karen, who is not serving the Lord, she was raised catholic, but to my knowledge does not have a personal relationship with Jesus, who is her key. I spoke with her for an hour last night, she was very upset about her life and what she has gone through for the past year, the trials, financial problems, health issues. And wonders why she was put on this earth. I listened to her, as she was taking a load off her chest, and then eventually told her that this was just a season in her life, and things would change for the better. Most importantly, was to let her know that she had someone to talk to when necessary, and was not alone. I feel many people, today, experience much loneliness, even if in a room full of people. But, this type of loneliness is good, if it causes the person to search out a deeper relationship with the Lord, who is the only person that can fill up a void that exists within the human heart. I know in the case of my sister, that for now, just have a listening ear, and then in my private time, when in the prayer closet, watering prayer into her life, and praying for the time that she will be open to listen to more truth.

 

[Abigayle's Legacy]

I am burdened all the time for many different people and pray for others daily their needs and salvation.. but a burden I carry daily is for the scarred and disfigured....it has been on my heart for years..I pray for them and the doctors that are making strides in reconstructive surgery and face transplants and I pray for a breakthrough in growing live skin tissue. I have no idea why this is on my heart but it haunts me.
OK that's all I 'll go now....just needed to get this out.
God Bless.
G

 

[Metwo]

My Wife and I have known this lady for 20 years. We meet her when she was 18 yrs old. She has been abused by every male figure in her life - father, priest, husband, college students. She is a recovered alcoholic but is still practicing her eating disorders. My wife took her to the hospital for suicidal thoughts a couple of months ago. While she was in the hospital we found out that her husband would beat, choke, and rape her in the house she is still living in after her divorce (married for about 16 yrs). We took her into our home, under the condition she would eat and not abuse herself. After a couple of months we had to have her leave our house because she was cutting on herself. We were not going to allow our safe harbor turn into an abusive harbor. My wife still tries to help her with all her issues but has stepped back and is not enabling her. We pray for her regularly and are still friends with her. I had told our pastor that I would give my legs if she would come to know the Lord. I don't think God would make that a requirement but I care for her like a daughter/sister. It is truly a shame what society has turned her into. It is hard to talk to her about God when her memories return with the priest saying "I am God" and he "God" abused me. I know that only God can work a miracle in her life. I just pray He does.

 

[catofhope]

My Wife and I have known this lady for 20 years. We meet her when she was 18 yrs old. She has been abused by every male figure in her life - father, priest, husband, college students. She is a recovered alcoholic but is still practicing her eating disorders. My wife took her to the hospital for suicidal thoughts a couple of months ago. While she was in the hospital we found out that her husband would beat, choke, and rape her in the house she is still living in after her divorce (married for about 16 yrs). We took her into our home, under the condition she would eat and not abuse herself. After a couple of months we had to have her leave our house because she was cutting on herself. We were not going to allow our safe harbor turn into an abusive harbor. My wife still tries to help her with all her issues but has stepped back and is not enabling her. We pray for her regularly and are still friends with her. I had told our pastor that I would give my legs if she would come to know the Lord. I don't think God would make that a requirement but I care for her like a daughter/sister. It is truly a shame what society has turned her into. It is hard to talk to her about God when her memories return with the priest saying "I am God" and he "God" abused me. I know that only God can work a miracle in her life. I just pray He does.

Continuing to pray for your friend and you and your wife.

 

[Metwo]

Thank You

 

[shoshanarose]

Metwo:
Thanks for sharing your burden...you have a compassionate heart and I understand your reaction to her "self-abuse" in your home...I have talked to and studied about abusive behavior; about being a victim and survivor.

As far as being a man goes, it may be hard to hear anything from you...maybe your wife can make some progress by reaching out to her...There are many programs in churches now about RECOVERY from abuse...if you know of one, your wife and you could attend with her for a few times to see if she will talk about her pain and let God heal her...

I will be praying!!! God has given you a burden for a reason...we may not know why but it sounds like you are really trying to "be there" and be obedient to what God wants you to do...


I have been a burden-bearer. All the sick (mentally), hurting, abused, rejected and "unloved" (they felt they were) have always been drawn to me. Being in music ministry and ready to pray and lay hands on them in Jesus' Name might have something to do with it but even when I am not the worship leader; while I am shopping, in the park with my son, etc. I talk with people and they just open up to me. Many ask for my time; which is for ministry, husband, family and work... little do they know that "silver and gold have I none, but in the Name of Jesus"...I can at least give them hope by sharing Jesus with them.

You and your wife may have the same drawing for the hurting. They see joy, peace, love...all the things that they so desperately want but are afraid to reach for, they don't feel deserving enough...they see someone who can help them...

I am very careful to draw the boundary of a friend verses "ministry project" (sorry for this crass coinage but we must differentiate between friends whom WE trust and those who trust in US). I have had one "friend" that the Lord told me that I was to be a friend to her! I said ok and then I pursued and made myself available...WE spent time together, went to church, functions, fellowships, all the while she was "shopping" she thought she had already found Jesus but she was keeping Him at arms length. She is still out there...running from God, herself and anyone (like me) who speaks the truth that she needs to hear IN LOVE...she "rebuked me in Jesus' Name" after telling me that I was the "last one who heard from God"...God even spoke to my heart that she would say this and HE filled my mouth with admonition and encouragement for her. She took it as rejection and "cut me off" quickly. She still calls out to others, takes what they give her but if they tell her anything spiritual that she does not like...she hardens her heart and runs.

Am I still a burden-bearer?, yes...my heart is terribly burdened for our brothers and sisters in other countries; and someday, here...who are killed, raped, tortured, houses and churches burned for their faith in Christ Jesus and stand on the word of God. We give regularly to Voice of the Martyrs and pray for them, write letters of encouragement, send supplies, bibles, etc. They are my heroes...

I hope something I have shared answered your question.
Keep working the faith that God has given you. He will not fail you...you have a heart of obedience...
Love and prayers to you and your family in Christ,

 

[edie19]

I feel a burden for my church family quite heavily right now.

We have 3 young women who are pregnant and all due within the next 2 - 8 weeks. Another mom (mid-late 30's) had triplets at the end of November - all babies are currently home after spending 2 - 5 weeks in the NICU, one is still on an apnea monitor. Talk about a life adjustment - I know that Amy hasn't slept through the night since long before the babies were born.

2 ladies from church lost their mothers this week.

One of our deacons/trustees had major heart surgery this past Monday (2 valve replacments).

Considering that we're a small church we've had a lot of issues recently.

That said - we've also seen and will continue to see a profound number of answered prayer. God is so good.

edie