Video Transcript: You Were Not Made to Carry This Alone

Video 8A: You Were Not Made to Carry This Alone

Hi, I am Haley Steiner, a CLI presenter.

This course is taught by Rev. Henry Reyenga and Attorney/Pastor Brian DeCook.

Topic 8 is about building a support network and finding healthy church belonging.

Many single mothers become very skilled at carrying more than one person should carry. You may manage children, work, bills, meals, school schedules, emotions, transportation, church expectations, and private grief. You may be so used to being responsible that asking for help feels uncomfortable.

But God did not design His people to live alone.

Hebrews 10 teaches believers to consider how to encourage one another toward love and good works, not giving up meeting together. Galatians 6 says to bear one another’s burdens. The Bible does not treat support as weakness. It treats support as part of life in the body of Christ.

Receiving help does not mean you are failing as a mother. It may mean you are practicing wisdom.

A Christian single mother needs more than emergency help. She needs a circle of trustworthy support. Some people may pray with you. Some may help with a ride. Some may speak truth when you are discouraged. Some may love your children well. Some may give practical advice. Some may simply sit with you and remind you that you are not alone.

No one person should be expected to meet every need. A pastor cannot be your whole support network. A friend cannot be your counselor, babysitter, financial adviser, prayer partner, and crisis responder all at once. A healthy support network includes different kinds of people for different kinds of care.

This also means you can receive support without handing everyone access to your private life. You do not owe every person your full story. You can say, “I would appreciate prayer,” without explaining every detail. You can ask for help with a meal, a ride, or childcare without feeling that you have lost self-respect.

Support should honor you, not control you.

The church should be a place where single mothers are respected as women, mothers, and disciples of Jesus Christ. Sometimes church belonging is beautiful and healing. Sometimes it is complicated, especially if you have felt judged, ignored, or misunderstood. This topic will help you think wisely about community, friendship, mentoring, and practical help.

You were not made to carry this alone.

Your reflection question is this: What burden have I been carrying by myself that God may want me to bring into wise Christian support?

Your gentle next step is to write down three types of support you need: spiritual support, practical support, and emotional encouragement.