A good friend of mine is going through a difficult time in regards to a lifelong struggle. At present they have given up, at least for awhile, as they are worn down and tired of the ongoing fight to control this issue rather than the issue controlling them.

As I discussed the problem with them I thought how each and every one of us has something in our life to bear. For some it is a health problem, for others it is an emotional issue or disability. Some struggle against ongoing poverty, learning difficulties, body confidence, addiction or relational challenges. None of us gets everything we want; we all have burdens to bear. As I contemplated this reality in relationship to God’s word, the phrase burden blessing kept popping up in my mind. So what is a burden blessing, I asked myself, and this is the answer which came.

A burden blessing is a gift from God. It is definitely a burden, something which we will and do have to struggle against, often for a lifetime. Yet it is a blessing when we view it in light of how God desires to use it in our lives, for as the writer of Romans states: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.” Living Bible

God has made each and every one of us and his purpose for all of us is always for good. Thus we can rest assured that any burden we may be faced with is indeed a blessing when we place it in his hands; a blessing to grow us up into mature Christians who are not only blessings to ourselves but also blessings to everyone around us.

So today if you are struggling, if you are feeling angry or discouraged, worn out or enjoying a pity party due to your circumstance, stop and take a moment to look at it in a different way. View it as a burden blessing and remind yourself of the blessings that God promises you, as in his strength, you choose to embrace your burden blessing: Patience, strength of character, more mature trust in God plus strong and steady hope and faith. And when this occurs within us, as Romans 5:5 states: “We are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

So which will you choose today, burden or burden blessing?

Prayer: Father God we choose by faith to thank you today for all our burden blessings. May we in Christ’s strength embrace these sometimes heavy and difficult burdens knowing that in your hands they are indeed burden blessings for our good and your glory. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C.