For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matt. 11:30)

Years ago, when I was working on my master’s degree, I noticed some pain just under the right side of my collar bone. I’m not opposed to going to the doctor, but I didn’t want to take the time. When I went to the doctor to find out what was causing the pain, I was surprised by the diagnosis—a pulled muscle in my back.

But the pain was in the front, not the back, so I questioned the doctor—was she sure? She was patient and launched into an explanation about how some of the muscles in my back are attached to my rib cage, which is why I felt the pain in the front instead of the back. I’m still not entirely sure I understand how that worked, but one thing I did know for sure—I wanted to prevent it from happening again.

“Have you been carrying anything heavy?” she asked.

“I carry my backpack with my books for class,” I said. “It’s pretty heavy. I carry it into work each day in case I have downtime to study over lunch or on breaks, to and from my car multiple times, and then to class.”

“You carry all your books at the same time, or just what you need for that day?”

“Usually all of them. I’m only taking a few classes, so I need them all at some point.”

She peered at me over the chart where she made notes. “And how do you carry the backpack? Over both shoulders?”

“No, just over one.”

“Over your right shoulder?”

“Yes.” A lightbulb clicked on, and I realized my mistake.

“That’s the problem,” she said. “The weight is unequally distributed, with more strain on your right side. First, I would suggest lightening your load—don’t carry all your books at once. And second, carry your backpack across both shoulders. The load will be distributed better and will put less strain on your back.”

I no longer carry a heavy backpack, but I do have a tendency to carry the loads of others. When a family member or friend is in trouble or going through a difficult time, I step in to help as we’re instructed Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” I worry, fret, and pray, usually in that order. And sometimes I offer tangible help in the form of a meal or listening ear.

What I’m learning is that, while we are to come alongside each other in times of need, I’m not supposed to worry—and I’m not supposed to carry another person’s burden indefinitely. Doing so can hinder what God wants to do in that person’s life. He wants them to turn to him, not me, when they need help.

Prayer should be my first response, not my last. By praying for the person going through a difficult time, I shift the burden from my shoulders to God’s—which is right where it should be.

First Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Some translations use the word cares instead of anxiety. Because of Jesus’s great love for us, we can give our burdens to him—ours and those of our family and friends—because he’s strong enough to carry them all.

Dear Jesus, this world is full of trouble, and I need your wisdom to know how to help others without hindering the work you want to do. Thank you that I can give these burdens to you and know that you will carry them. Amen.