An estimated 25 million people in the United States are providing care for chronically ill relatives or friends. Those who shoulder the burden of caregiving know that it often feels like an impossible task.

How can we help each other when the load seems too heavy to bear? Paul gave these simple, straightforward instructions to the Christians at Galatia: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2).

To bear someone's burden is to take that weight onto ourselves. If we know someone who must constantly be with a relative, we can take her place for an hour or even for an afternoon. Taking a caregiving buddy to lunch or a ballgame gives him a much-needed break and someone to talk to.

In Rosalyn Carter's book Helping Yourself Help Others, the former first lady writes, "There are only four kinds of people in this world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who currently are caregivers. Those who will be caregivers. Those who will need caregivers. That pretty much covers us all."

To "bear one another's burdens" means to share another's sufferings in a practical way. Fulfilling "the law of Christ" includes joyful, unselfish service of love.  — David C. McCasland