— DAY 3 —

WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST, 2026

 

CARRYING THE WEIGHT


SETTING THE SCENE
Shortly after leaving Egypt, the Israelites faced a brutal attack from the Amalekite army. Moses sent Joshua down into the valley to fight, while Moses went to the top of the hill with the staff of God. As long as Moses held his hands up, Israel won. But when his arms grew tired and dropped, the enemy started winning. Moses was the visionary leader, but he was still human. He grew exhausted under the crushing weight of the battle. It was in that critical moment that Aaron and Hur stepped in, not to take his place, but to hold up his hands.

 

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES

Exodus 17:11 to 12 (NLT)
"As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset."

 

COMMENT
There is a massive misconception in the church that because someone is the leader, they are spiritually bulletproof. We often expect our upline leaders to constantly pour out vision, energy, and encouragement downward, forgetting that they are fighting intense spiritual battles of their own. Leaders get tired. Visionaries get exhausted. The weight of carrying a ministry can be absolutely crushing.

Relating upward is not just about doing what you are told. It is about actively looking for ways to lighten the load of the person leading you. When Moses grew tired, Aaron and Hur did not complain about his weakness. They did not try to grab the staff out of his hands and take over the leadership. They found a rock for him to sit on, stood on either side of him, and physically carried the weight he could no longer carry himself.

Are you a leader who holds up the hands of your upline, or do you add to their weight? When your leader is tired, facing a crisis, or navigating a difficult season in the church, they need people who will stand beside them. True upward alignment means you anticipate their needs, fiercely protect their time, and spiritually intercede for their strength. The battle is rarely won by the visionary alone. It is won by the faithful leaders who choose to hold their hands steady until the sun goes down.

 

PRACTICAL WAYS TO CARRY THE WEIGHT

  • Find the Rock (Anticipate Needs): Aaron and Hur did not wait for Moses to ask for a chair, they saw he was tired and found a stone. Look for ways to serve your leader before they have to ask. Anticipate the logistical or administrative weights you can take off their plate.

  • Buffer the Noise: Shield your leader from unnecessary distractions. Handle minor conflicts, answer questions you already know the answers to, and solve problems at your level so their energy is preserved for the main vision.

  • Give Grace for Exhaustion: When your leader drops the ball, forgets an email, or shows signs of fatigue, do not criticize them. Extend the same grace you would want, recognizing they are fighting a heavy, unseen battle.

  • Hold the Arms: The battle is won in the spiritual realm. Make it a daily habit to pray fiercely for your leader's physical stamina, mental clarity, and spiritual protection against burnout.

  • Be a Source of Encouragement: Be the person who adds energy to the room, not the one who drains it. Send a text, share a testimony, or simply tell them you have their back. Let them know they are not fighting alone.

 

THE SUPPORT SELF ASSESSMENT
Pick the number that best describes where you feel you’re at right now with each of the the leaders God has placed over you (ALL OF THEM).

  1. The Critic: When my leader drops the ball or shows weakness, my first instinct is to criticize them. I expect them to carry everything perfectly.

  2. The Consumer: I relate to my leader only based on what they can do for me. I gladly receive their leadership but rarely think about what they might need.

  3. Growing Supporter: I want to help, but I usually wait to be asked. I am learning to be more proactive in checking on my leader and offering to take things off their plate.

  4. The Armor Bearer: I actively look for ways to hold up my leader's hands. I intercede for them in prayer, protect their time, and gladly carry the heavy tasks to lighten their load.

 

ACTION POINTS

  1. The First Five: Give God the first five minutes of your day in silence before checking your phone, asking Him to reveal any areas where you have believed you have already "arrived."

    1. The Coachable Response: If you receive feedback, direction, or correction today, do not explain yourself. Simply say thank you for the feedback and make the adjustment.

    2. The Wisdom Ask: Reach out to your leader this week and proactively ask for input. Say, "Since you are further ahead and have a broader view of the ministry, is there any area where you see I could improve?"

 

MAIN QUESTIONS
(Self Reflection)

Let’s Talk in the Chat
(on the Boot Camp group in Planning Center)

One of the best parts of this journey is that we aren’t doing it alone. We’d love for our chat to be a place of real connection. As you go through each day, please jump in and share:

  1. God’s Voice: What is one specific thing you feel the Holy Spirit is whispering to your heart?

  2. Self-Reflection: What did the "test" reveal to you today?

  3. The Wins: Did you do one of the action points? Tell us about it!

  4. Testimony: Share a testimony of how feedback from your up-line has created growth in you?


Please Read:
Don't worry about sounding 'spiritual' The most encouraging thing you can share is your honest process. This is a self-reflection about what God is speaking directly to you about in YOUR life. Words like “I” and “Me” are encouraged, “we” and “us” less so.

 

PERSONAL PRAYER STARTER
"Lord, I’ll be honest, I often forget that my leaders get tired. I consume their leadership without thinking about the weight they carry. Forgive me for the times I have been critical of their weakness instead of stepping in to help. Give me the loyalty of Aaron and Hur. Help me to be a leader who proactively lifts the burden, protects the vision, and holds up the hands of the leaders You have placed over me. Amen."

 
REGISTER COMPLETION OF DAY 3