The Difference Between a Load and a Burden

Do you know the difference between a load and a burden? There is a difference explained in the Bible, which offers clarity and comfort for us.

The Definition of a Load

Loads are something we all carry. This is a rather unpopular teaching in our culture which is plagued by entitlement thinking. We are not all victims of injustice simply because we have loads to carry. In fact, a load can be a great blessing.

For example, I carry significant loads as a mom of three. These loads are just “part of the job.” My loads as a mother not only entail assignments meant to keep my kids alive and healthy, such as providing food, clothing and shelter. The loads of motherhood also involve prayer, instruction, correction, and times of recreation.

My role as a mother has been the most satisfying job of my entire life. However, I’d be lying to you if I didn’t call it a load to carry. The temptations to fret and fear over their futures. The many messes I’ve had to clean up, sometimes in the middle of the night. The whining, bickering, and words of disrespect I’ve had to confront. Yes, motherhood has been a load to carry – a responsibility – but I’ve welcomed it and greatly benefited from it.

How the Bible Describes a Load

I’m certain you have several loads to carry. Family obligations. Work. Service in your church and community. These loads are blessings, because they are your assignments from God.

Let’s look at Galatians 6:4-5 NLT to understand what the Bible says about your load:

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (emphasis added)

We are responsible to carry our own loads, but not the loads that rightfully belong to others. It’s also not right to permit someone else to carry the load that belongs to you. Able-bodied and able-minded people are fully responsible to carry their own mental, physical, emotional, relational, vocational, and spiritual loads. That’s God’s design, both for our protection and enjoyment.

I have made mistakes on both of those sides. As a former passive and codependent person, I allowed people to carry the loads that were only mine to carry. I also greatly cost myself and loved ones by carrying their loads for far too long. The load God assigns to you is just right for you, not too light or too heavy.

The Difference Between a Load and a Burden

The difference between a load and a burden is normally a boundary problem. Each of us has a designated load to carry, confined within healthy boundaries. But burdens bust through our boundaries and create chaos.

Sometimes, a crisis dumps a burden on top of the load you’re already carrying. Illness, divorce, death, disasters, job losses, car wrecks, and other losses create unexpected heartache that can temporarily overwhelm us and tempt us to lose hope and even despair.

Other times, someone else’s sin creates a burden for you. Surely you have a person in mind right now after reading that sentence. Someone who has bullied you, betrayed you, cheated on you, taken advantage of you, gossiped about you, criticized you or borrowed from you without paying you back. This type of burden tempts us toward frustration, self-pity, bitterness and isolation.

We can also create unnecessary burdens for ourselves. Have you ever blamed yourself for something that was really another person’s fault? Maybe you are like me – a perfectionist who is tempted to criticize herself for perceived faults when no real sin was committed. We also create burdens for ourselves through procrastination, bad habits, and indulgence, just to name a few.

Comfort in Our Burdens

However, Jesus offers us great comfort in our burdens. Let his words bring peace to your heart:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Jesus is willing to carry our burdens as we walk alongside him.  He was using a metaphor based on oxen who are yoked together. The oxen work in tandem because the yoke placed on their shoulders keeps them aligned. Without a yoke, the oxen would wander apart. The yoke is essential for keeping them focused on their assignment.

When you allow Jesus to take up one end of your yoke, he’ll do all the heavy lifting for you.  He wants you to wear the yoke of obedience and surrender. As you trust him, he’ll bear your burden in his infinite strength. You can carry your load and God will carry the rest for you. Isn’t this wonderful news?

If you are weighed down by a burden today, let Jesus give you rest.  Yes, you already have a load to carry, and that’s normal. But those burdens you’ve been carrying around yourself? Lay them down, and put on the yoke of obedience and surrender instead. Listen to his teaching, and find the perfect peace you are seeking.

Prayer

Here’s a prayer to encourage you:

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the load you have given me to carry.
I confess that I often complain about it, as if I were a victim.
But today, I choose to see my load as a blessing of responsibility.
Lord, you know the burdens I carry.
The disasters that came out of nowhere.
The injustices that others caused in my life.
The burdens I have created for myself.
Set me free from them today, Jesus.
I lay them at the feet of the cross.
Today, I take up your yoke of obedience and surrender.
I trust you to carry the heaviness for me.
I know that as I draw close to you, you will give me rest and peace.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

If you liked this post, I would appreciate your shares on social media!

This post may be linked up at these linkups.
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

If you make a purchase through the provided links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my writing ministry!

My weekly newsletter Tea on Tuesdays is delivered at 3:00 p.m. Central time every Tuesday.  I write an exclusive devotion for you each week that I share with you first.

To receive the newsletter, please subscribe below. I can’t wait to share personally with you each week!