[Ep 49] Finding Your Stretcher Bearers: The People Who Can Help Carry You Through a Difficult Season

One of the books that have meant the most to me in this season of caring for others is Becoming a Stretcher Bearer, by Michael Slater.

The whole premise of Slater’s book is how we can be like the four men who carried their paralyzed friend to Jesus on a mat, digging a hole through the roof, even, to get him to Jesus. We can help carry our friends through their difficult seasons until they are well enough to walk on their own again.

But today, we’re turning that around and thinking about when we are the one on the stretcher. Because at some point, we all end up there, don’t we?

Cancer. Depression. Anxiety. Chronic illness. Grief. Homesickness. Job loss. Extended sickness.

And so, I want to break this down a little bit and help us figure out this question: If you found yourself on a stretcher—physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, or spiritually—who could help carry you through that season?

Kari

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Book: Becoming a Stretcher Bearer, by Michael Slater
• Episode 30: Three Favorite Books About Encouraging One Another
• Mark 2:1-12