WRITTEN BY: Caiti Spiess

The weight of advocacy is a journey marked by complex emotions: sadness, anger, misunderstanding, loneliness, and rejection. Whether we are advocating for aging parents or children, policy or system changes, or even ourselves, we often encounter this emotional landscape. Advocacy can feel like an uphill battle, where victories are often few and far between.

There is sadness and anger at the injustice and apathy within systems that fail those who need help the most. Loneliness emerges when encouragement is scarce, and misunderstanding—sometimes from those we hold most dear—adds another layer of weight to the work. Yet amid these challenges, we can find solace in knowing that Jesus understands these feelings firsthand. He carried the weight of advocacy and experienced the depth of these emotions.

Facing Uncertainty

Not long ago, I encountered these very emotions as I left yet another meeting for my daughter. I walked out while overthinking all the things I should have or could have said, and wondering what things were misinterpreted. The uncertainty of whether my advocacy would ultimately help her or inadvertently create challenges for her down the line loomed even larger. Memories of sadness, anger, misunderstanding, loneliness, and rejection threaten to overshadow the times my advocacy has helped.

As advocates, our voices and actions inevitably affect others. Advocacy carries both weight and power. The heaviness of my daughter’s struggles felt overwhelming. As her mother, I witness her working incredibly hard—often harder than her peers—only for her to face doubts about her worth as she compares herself to others or endures unkind words. Sometimes it feels like too much.

Following Jesus

To be honest, I want that overwhelm, that sense of too muchness, the heaviness, all of it, to be less. I want the work of advocacy to be easier. When I reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 11, I’m tempted to interpret them as a promise of carefree ease: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). Yet, it’s still a yoke. There is still work to be done. Perhaps Jesus’ message is not about eliminating the work but about making it better—more bearable—because we do it with Him.

With Jesus, I can see my daughter’s hard-earned victories, her daily courage, her grit, and the beautiful reflection of God’s image shining brightly in her. With Him, I recognize the resilience He is building within me. With Him, I sense when to lay the work down and rest. And with Him, I gain new perspectives on God’s heart as He advocates for me.

Because of His advocacy, I can continue to show up and advocate for those He has placed in my care. When I feel worn out, I often want God to step in and do the work for me. But He rarely does what I am capable of doing myself. Instead, He knows when to provide rest and when to encourage me to persevere in doing the possible as He continues to do the impossible. And when I take a moment to pause and reflect, I’m reminded that I am never truly advocating alone. God equips and empowers me, standing beside me in every battle, whispering strength into my spirit when I feel like giving up.

Similarly, the goal of advocacy is not to do for others what they are capable of doing themselves. Instead, advocacy from a biblical perspective involves speaking up, acting, or interceding on behalf of others to bring justice, compassion, and support where they cannot. It reflects God’s character as a defender of the vulnerable, an advocate for the oppressed, and a source of encouragement and guidance. Advocacy is rooted in love, truth, and righteousness and often includes calling for justice, standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and interceding in prayer and action.

We see examples in verses like:

Micah 6:8: Acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
Proverbs 31:8-9: Speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Isaiah 1:17: Seeking justice and defending the oppressed.

When we practice advocacy, we partner with God in His power, demonstrating His love, truth, and righteousness to the world.

Some practical ways to live this out include educating others by addressing misunderstandings, safeguarding the energy and autonomy of those we advocate for, prioritizing mental and emotional well-being for both ourselves and those in our care, and fostering empathy and understanding in ourselves and the people around us. We can also pray for discernment, asking God to guide our words and actions so that they align with His heart for justice and mercy.

Finding Freedom

Advocacy is challenging, but it is also a sacred, powerful calling. There is power in using your voice to advocate for those who need it most, even when the weight seems too heavy to bear. When done with love, humility, and relying on God’s power, advocacy reflects the very heart of God—a God who tirelessly advocates for us.