“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.”
Each evening two friends met on the lonely road leading from the city to their small village. Both men carried an unusual sack on their backs. The cumbersome bag—an injury sack—was full of the bitterness, difficulties, ill tempers, frustrating conversations, and hurts that had come their way during the day.
Each morning the men met again at the crossroad into the city. One man was stooped low, the weight of his sack already causing beads of perspiration to form on his brow. The other man was refreshed, an empty sack slung over his shoulder.
The burdened man was perplexed. “Why is his sack so light when each day I suffer under my load?”
The burdened man quizzed his light-hearted friend:
"What is your secret?"
“Oh that’s easy,” said the one who traveled light. “Long ago I learned that my burden was too much to bear, but if I gave my difficulties to God he would gladly carry them for me."
A lesson for life!
Alexander was a man who stuffed great burdens in Paul’s injury sack. Despite his ill intentions, these "injuries" did not cripple the apostle. Why? Like the light-hearted traveler, Paul knew that the secret to unloading his troubles was giving them to God.
When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 2 Timothy 4:13-14 ESV
There are hurts we can address and should (see Matthew 18:15), and then there are hurts others inflict (as with Paul’s run-in with Alexander the coppersmith) that are out of control. Stop and think about your own life. Is there anything you are carrying in your injury sack?
Are the biting words of another dragging you down?
Has a disappointing relationship created bitterness in your soul?
Are you still simmering over that raw deal?
Are you dissatisfied with your assignment at work?
If your bag is bulging, God wants you to know that is a load you were not meant to carry. Give him your troubles. You can trust the Lord to "repay" the Alexander in your life. Best of all you can count on him to carry your troubles and lighten your load.
Your journey is too long to be burdened by a bundle you were never intended to tote. Let it go. Give it to God. Empty your injury sack today!