When the Load Gets Too Heavy: Learning to Ask for Help in the Lord's Work

Brothers and sisters, have you ever felt the weight of the Lord’s work pressing down on you until you felt like you couldn't take another step? Maybe it’s the constant calls for missionary discussions, the endless preparation for a transfer, or perhaps the sheer volume of discipleship work in your own ward. It’s easy, when we are so deeply invested in the covenant path, to feel like we must carry it all on our own strength. We feel like we should be able to keep going, no matter what.

It’s a dangerous place to live, isn't it? The place where we start to believe that if we just pray *harder*, or if we just *work* harder, the pressure will magically lift. We start to treat our spiritual burdens like a problem we can solve with sheer willpower.

I was reminded recently by some powerful teachings—and I know many of you are processing deep feelings of weariness right now—about a key principle: we are not meant to carry the weight of the world, or even the weight of a whole generation, by ourselves. The Savior never expected us to be superhuman. He expects us to be disciples who know when to rely on the Spirit and the covenants we have made.

When we look back at the scriptures, we see this pattern repeated time and time again. Think of Moses. He was overwhelmed by the complaints of the people. He felt the immense responsibility, the weight of the covenant, and he cried out to the Lord, feeling utterly inadequate. And what did the Lord do? Did He magically make the complaining stop? No. He guided Moses to a different path, showing him that the solution wasn't more effort from him, but rather, gathering help—gathering leaders, gathering strength, gathering counsel.

This isn't just for the field, though it applies there too! Whether you are studying for your temple recommend, trying to teach a scripture passage during a Book Club, or even just trying to keep up with your personal study goals, there will be times you feel like you are running on fumes. The temptation is to grit your teeth and push through until you break. But the Spirit whispers something different: *Ask for help.*

The beautiful truth we must remember is that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness; it is the very definition of discipleship. It is recognizing that we are part of a body, and the Lord has provided us with priesthood leaders, companions, friends, and the gift of the Spirit to support us. We must learn to ask, not just "How do I fix this?" but rather, "Lord, what *can* I do, and what *can* you do with me?"

If you are feeling that strain right now, I invite you to take a moment. Don't just pray for the problem to vanish like magic. Instead, ask the Lord to show you the next right step, the person you need to talk to, or the scripture passage you need to re-read. Be willing to change your approach, just as Moses had to be guided to gather the elders.

Remember that every member can be an Internet missionary, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. If you are struggling to find that next step in your own discipleship journey, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings in LivingBook. Sometimes, just reviewing the insights shared in the Social Scripture Study layer can point you toward a resource or a friend you need to connect with.

If you feel ready to practice this skill—the skill of asking for help and making concrete changes—I encourage you to join us for our free weekly Disciple Challenge this week. We’ll be discussing how to build healthy spiritual boundaries!