For
some people, asking for help is one of the hardest things in the world to do.
And
when I say “some people,” I mean me.
I’ve
really taken to heart our society’s way of refusing help when needed. “No, thanks, I got it,” is my go-to answer for
nearly everything. I will struggle
through a project rather than ask for help every time. The only time I will ask a person for help is
if I just really don’t want to do something.
Which
is not that often. Mostly I’ll trudge through a chore or activity alone, just because I don’t want
the world to think I’m incapable of doing it.
You
know, the world – that enormous, living planet we live on? I don’t want it, nor its 7 billion residents,
to know that *I* need help.
Silly,
isn’t it?
I’ve
missed out on opportunities for relationship by shoving fists in my pockets
when someone offers a helping hand. I
don’t want to know exactly what I’ve missed.
A richer relationship with someone?
A more positive situational outcome?
Ease of work? Time well spent?
By
refusing help, I could rob someone of the opportunity to be generous. Someone who today decided to help as many
people as they can. Someone who is
trying to be less selfish and more giving.
Someone who needs to help another for healing.
Jesus
asked for help. He knew that we were not
made to live alone, to do everything ourselves, to operate singly. He knew we needed community, and he knew the
human condition was such that we need help.
We are not God. We have
limitations. Much as we try, we literally
cannot do it all ourselves.
Jesus
asked his disciples for help during prayer (Matthew 14:32-34). He asked God for help (Matthew 14:36). He taught us how to ask God for everything
(Matthew 7:7, John 4:10, John 14:13-14).
The Bible is full of instructions about asking for help.
Despite
his holiness, Jesus possessed an I-can’t-do-it-myself attitude when it came to
God. The communication lines between him
and God were open all the way. He didn’t
pause before asking God for help, and he asked people for help when he needed
it. He didn’t ask indiscriminately, but intentionally.
Following
his lead is hard, but necessary for my own spiritual growth. I’m not learning anything by trying to do
everything myself and raising my palm against offers of help from others. This form of pride will hinder my spiritual
life. If I don’t ask for or accept help
from people, how can I ask for help from God?
How will my lines of communication with him stay open?
There’s
never a better time to start. Anyone
want to help me do this thing?
Dear
Lord, I want to depend on you. But I don’t
like to feel out of control. Teach me to
be more like Jesus. Give me the wisdom
to give up my independence to you. Amen.
*******
Asking for help is something I struggle with a lot. I think most of it stems from having been a single mom and becoming fiercely independent during that time. This is a good reminder, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhile not a single mom, I get that. I feel like it's in my blood to be independent, to do things for myself. Plus I'm impatient with how other people do things. All in all, it's something I have to work hard at correcting. Thanks!
DeleteI think you are not alone here. It has been something I have been working on too. The hardest thing in walking with Jesus is to just let our ways go and trust in his ways! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, and thanks for the kindness. Letting go is so hard for me. I want to hold everything in my tight little fist.
DeleteLOVE everything about this! It's so true, and it's a struggle I share! We are meant to need the fellowship of other believers and to function as different parts of the Body of Christ. It's hard to remember when my pride and desire for privacy kick in.
ReplyDeletePride and desire for privacy - great words to describe my own condition when I need help. It's denial on my part, and helps nothing.
DeleteI was really impressed when I first noticed that about Jesus too. It's not in my nature to ask for help, but in certain areas I have gotten better just because of his example. And then there are some areas where I have dug my heels down … (cough, cough).
ReplyDeleteJesus' humility always gives me pause. It's become a joke, but the phrase "What would Jesus do?" is meaningful in every situation.
DeleteThis is a hard area for me. I want to ask for help, but then will people see me as weak? Jesus the author and perfect of our faith has another plan. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jann! I fall into the "what will the neighbors think?" mindset too often, too. I know better, and usually need this reminder.
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