— 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. He was getting exhausted under the weight of the battle. It was in that moment that Aaron and Hur stepped in, not to take his place, but to hold up his hands.

 
DAY 3 - SCRIPTURES

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

DAY 3 - COMMENTARY

There is a massive misconception in the church that because someone is in leadership, they should be bulletproof. We often expect our upline to constantly have energy, to inspire us, forgetting that they are fighting intense spiritual battles of their own. The higher you go in leadership the more intense the battles get. The enemy know if he can get to them it has a greater impact on more people.

Rest assured, leaders get tired. The spiritual and practical weight of carrying a ministry can be heavy and, at times, absolutely crushing. Your leaders are carrying burdens they may never verbalise and navigating pressure you might never fully see or understand. In those moments, we face a crucial choice. Will I be an oblivious bystander who stays detached from the weight, or will I step in, lean close, and help lift their arms up.

Notice that Aaron and Hur had to be positioned close enough to Moses to actually see that his arms had grown tired and that he could no longer hold them up. They did not run for cover, nor did they stand back and critically whisper, "Look at Moses dropping his arms in the middle of the battle!" Instead, they stepped straight into the gap, found a stone for him to sit on, and physically carried the weight alongside him until victory was secured. Relating upward is not just about doing what we are told. It is about actively looking for ways to lighten the load of the person leading us. '


Are you a leader who holds up the hands of your up-line, or do you inadvertently add to their weight?

When your leaders face intense battles, navigate difficult seasons, or carry heavy decisions, they need people who will stand securely beside them. True upward alignment means you anticipate their needs, fiercely protect their time, handle problems at your level, and spiritually intercede for their strength. The battle is rarely won by the one person. It is won by the faithful, loyal leaders who choose to hold their leaders hands up.By serving in the shadows and carrying the physical weight, they ensured the entire nation prevailed. When you make the decision to lift the heavy burdens off your leaders, you create a culture of honor, safety, and supernatural strength that flows straight down through your entire church.



PRACTICAL WAYS TO CARRY THE WEIGHT

DAY 3 - 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 criticise them. Extend the same grace you would want, recognising 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.


CARRYING THE WEIGHT 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).

DAY 3 - SELF-ASSESSMENT

  1. The Critic: When my leader drops the ball or shows weakness, my first instinct is to criticise them. I expect them to carry everything perfectly without showing fatigue.

  2. The Consumer: I relate to my leaders only based on what they can do for me. I gladly receive their input but rarely think about what they might need or the burdens they are carrying.

  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 leaders and offering to take heavy tasks off their plate.

  4. The Armour Bearer: I actively look for ways to hold up my leaders' hands. I intercede for them in prayer, protect their time, and gladly carry heavy responsibilities to lighten their load.


ACTION POINTS

  1. Give Him Fifteen: Give God the first fifteen minutes of your day in silence before checking your phone, spending that time interceding for the physical stamina, wisdom, and spiritual protection of your upline leaders.

  2. The Proactive Lift: Do not wait to be asked. Reach out to a leader today and ask, "What is one heavy task or project on your plate this week that I can carry for you?"

  3. The Encouragement Text: Leaders rarely hear "thank you" during demanding seasons. Send a message to a leader today simply thanking them for the weight they carry for the team and the house.

MAIN QUESTIONS
(Self Reflection)

DAY 3 - MAIN QUESTIONS

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. Testimony: Share a testimony of a time you stepped in to support or encourage a leader, or how holding up your leader's hands impacted them , you and those around 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 heavy 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 and proactive heart of Aaron and Hur. Help me to be a leader who lifts burdens, protects the vision, and faithfully holds up the hands of the leaders You have placed over me. Amen."

 
REGISTER COMPLETION OF DAY 3