Bear One Another Burden - Theology and Mental Health

English version - after the Chinese (scroll down) - Bear One Another's Burden 我可以細數上百個關於上帝信實的故事——祂正如以賽亞書中所應許的，能使灰燼化為美麗：「賜給他們華冠代替灰塵，喜樂的油代替悲哀，讚美衣代替憂傷之靈」（61:3）。這無疑是為耶穌服事中最令人滿足的一部分（無論是在我作為輔導者、門徒培育者，或朋友的角色裡）。當一個人從創傷中得著醫治、在人際關係中經歷修復，或學會饒恕自己與他人時，我就像坐在第一排，親眼見證一篇生命的見證如何從痛苦的灰燼中綻放出美麗。

我們潛意識裡會擔心，別人生命中的黑暗也可能吞噬我們。因此，我們試圖隔著距離把經文拋向痛苦，用空泛的安慰話語去包紮那些深深裂開的傷口。然而，重擔是無法在情感保持距離的情況下被承擔的。 


I can recount hundreds of stories of God’s faithfulness to bring beauty from ashes as He promises in Isaiah: “To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (61:3). That’s easily the most rewarding part of working for Jesus (whether in my role as counselor, disciple-maker, or friend). When someone has experienced healing from their trauma, restoration in a relationship, or forgiveness for themselves and others, I have taken a front row seat to the beauty of a testimony rising out of the ashes of life’s pain. 

We subconsciously worry that the dark places in others might consume us too. We try throwing scripture at pain from a distance, bandaging gaping wounds with platitudes. Burdens can’t be carried from an emotional distance.  

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Source: 
Burden Bearing in the Church: How We Can Do It Better  - Message of the Open Bible

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