[ampaterry]

Driving past the ravages of a forest fire in Alaska revealed something interesting about the trees there. The roots barely get below the surface, then spread in all directions; there is no ‘taproot’; nothing going deep into the earth. The reason for this is simple; the permafrost under the surface is frozen year around, and the roots cannot penetrate it.
The Sequoia trees of California have similar root systems in order to gather maximum surface moisture. They have a root system that spreads out just beneath the surface also. These trees can grow up to 300 feet tall! And, you almost ALWAYS see them growing in groves; if they stood out by themselves, their very shallow roots would allow the tree to fall in the first high wind it was exposed to! That's why they grow in clusters. Their roots grow over and under their neighbors roots; the intertwining roots provide support for one another against the storms.
Suffering comes to all of us, and no one can suffer for us. Even so, just like those giant Sequoia trees, we can be supported in those difficult times by the prayers and understanding of loved ones and friends. It's when we are too proud to admit our needs to others that we are in the greatest danger.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (TLB);“What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement. We are in deep trouble for bringing you God’s comfort and salvation. But in our trouble God has comforted us—and this, too, to help you: to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you when you undergo these same sufferings. He will give you the strength to endure.”

Share the burden, guys.
TAKE ON some of the burden of others.
ALLOW OTHERS to take on some of yours.
We will ALL be stronger for it -