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Kitty and I have a king size four poster bed room suite, and when we started to move the first time I realized quick that I would have to have some help. I was thankful for the two other guys, for I had my hands full just carrying my corner. This was something that was obviously never meant to be carried alone - as wise man Solomon said: "Two are better than one" [V.9] --- and "A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." [V.12]. Solomon reminds us here that going it alone is unnecessary.

There are very few endeavors in life that are performed more efficiently with one hand than with two. In nearly everything we do, we must ask at one time or another, "Hey! Could you give me a hand with this?", or even, "Hey! Can I bounce an idea off you?..." One receives support, encouragement, ideas, an extra hand from a partner.

That could be a mistake you're making right now -- for along time. You have some things in your life that are pretty heavy, and they are really weighing you down, may be even crushing you sometimes. But the problem isn't just how much that monster weighs; it may be that you're insisting on carrying it alone. You won't do what I did when I realized I had something that was to heavy for me alone - I called for help. You get the picture, God says: "Work with someone else on it." Walk with someone else.! Fight the battle with someone else.~ We need to remember that Jesus sent the early disciples out two by two. It is a fact of life, most of us can function best when we are teamed up with someone else. The involvement of some people who shared my load made the difference in whether or not I could carry what I had to carry on moving day.

Then also, "if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" (vs. 10). We can take this literally, as two who are journeying upon a road; we can also apply this to our spiritual life: "If one falls down, his friend can help him up." In our spiritual journey, also, "two are better than one". When we are tempted, we can receive from a godly friend the strength to overcome temptation; when we stumble, we can receive the rebuke of a godly friend to get us back on track. It may be that your pride keeps you from sharing the burden you're carrying. To the fear of what someone might think. Or, maybe it's hard for you to trust anyone because of past betrayals. But whatever the risks are far greater of being crushed by it alone.

I heard today on the news about a man out walking late one evening with his two dogs - he passed out. In a coma, one of the dogs lay on the man to keep him warm, the other dog got the flashlight the man had and went to a near by road, and a man saw the dog with the flashlight, and followed him to the man still in a coma - again, "three strands" [V.12] are better.

It is a wicked world out there. There is safety in numbers. Two can walk in safety where one alone would be open to attack. A bond of three together is all the more stronger. So, indeed, we see the wisdom of God in advocating fellowship with one another.

Now you may be the one a hurting person calls for some help. And if they reach out and ask you too help carry the load, realize what a trust they are giving you -- move out of "Your Comfort Zone." Don't ever betray their confidence -- don't condemn -- don't take it lightly; listen a lot before you talk -- pray with them about it -- look for practical ways that you and others can help.

It just may be that you are carrying the load of many years --- or of a recent blow. It may be something you've wanted to be secret -- but that secret is like a cancer eating you up inside. You've got to let someone in. You've carried this alone long enough. With the loving help of someone lifting the other end, you can finally make progress on what has been unmovable until now.