“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Postpartum depression doesn’t always look like sadness. It’s often downplayed as “baby blues,” something expected as hormones swing wildly from nurturing life within to sustaining life outside. But postpartum depression can quietly convince a new mother that she is a burden rather than someone carrying one. It isolates her, leaving her to hold what was never meant to be carried alone.
In Galatians, Paul instructs believers to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Notice that he doesn’t call us to fix one another. Instead, he encourages us to help carry the weight. This kind of care requires proximity, patience, and endurance. Time and again, we see the law of Christ fulfilled not through answers, but through presence.
When I experienced postpartum depression after the birth of my fourth baby, it was my mother who gently brought it to my attention … more than six months after he was born. Even when she said, “You’re just not yourself,” I resisted her motherly diagnosis. I attributed my hiding from family, friends, and engagements to still adjusting to the newest addition to the family. But the more her words echoed in my mind, I realized she was right. My postpartum depression was a blind spot, and it took someone on the outside to lovingly point it out.
Once it was identified, I knew I needed help. I reached out to my support system of local friends who lovingly came alongside me. Being vulnerable felt uncomfortable and exposing. Still, it was necessary. My sisters-in-Christ banded together, supporting me in ways only those who are rooted in their love of Jesus can. They handwrote Scriptures that I placed all around my home. When lies overwhelmed my mind, I had tangible and visual reminders of God’s truth written by people who loved Him and loved me. When I didn’t have the strength to open my Bible, they brought the Bible to me, allowing God’s Word to meet me in my brokenness and dysfunction.
Now that I’m on the other side of that season, I have had the privilege of walking with others in similar ways. But it is a skill I would be less adept at had I not been on the receiving end of such love and commitment to help me carry my own burden. Galatians 6:2 is not only a call to bear burdens but an invitation to allow your own burdens to be carried. While burden sharing and burden bearing are rarely tidy endeavors, they are most certainly holy work.
Wherever you find yourself today, bearing someone else’s burden or allowing others to help carry yours, be reminded of this: Christ Himself carries it all. Both the weary and the willing can find rest in Him.
Be willing to open your hands, whether to release what you’re carrying or to help hold what someone else cannot carry alone. Bring your burden before the Lord today, and ask Him who He may be inviting into this season with you.
Prayer: Gracious Father, You have told us in this earthly life we will face trials. But You have given us a Savior who intimately knows our struggles, and You have given us sisters-in-Christ who are willing to share our burdens. Thank You for both. Please help me to reach out for support when I need it and be willing to help lighten someone else’s load. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want More?
Read Mark 2:1–12. Write down all the steps the friends of the paralytic man took in order to get him an audience with Jesus Christ. Whose faith moves Jesus to forgive the sins of the paralytic? Whose mat do you carry? Who carries yours?
