Being a Mum of six kids, pastoring churches, running my own business, managing people, family, relationships and just the everyday pressures of life and I know what it is to need help from time to time.
The thing is most of us aren’t very good at asking for help. We either leave asking for assistance until everything is at a chaotic level, don’t ask at all, or just start feeling sorry for ourselves. Then we either soldier on, sometimes to our own detriment, or give up on some of our dreams and aspirations because it’s become too difficult to do things alone.
I’ve discovered however that there is often a reason why we don’t want to ask for help. Perhaps we have a fear of being vulnerable because we have been abused or let down in some way in the past. Or we don’t trust others to be there for us, or we’ve allowed pride to get in the way of asking because we want to do everything ourselves.
Personally I like to get on with things and not ask for help, primarily for some of the above mentioned reasons. God however reminds me that firstly He is always right alongside me to help and loves to answer my prayers and requests. It grows my relationship and trust in Him, develops my ability to work with others that He sends and increases my strength, communication skills and overall impact in life.
God’s help gives wisdom when we don’t know what to do, peace when we are filled with fear. His help provides, loves on us, heals and is behind the reinforcements and backup we so often need and benefit from.
Having to do everything ourselves limits our capacity and the impact we could make in life. Whereas God wants us to ask him for help and then for us to be ready for His answer in the way He provides (which is often different from what we may have expected) so that we can live our best life. We don’t want to end up like the man who was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help but failed to receive.
He prayed for help and soon a man in a rowboat came by and shouted to the man on the roof, “Jump in, I can save you.”
The stranded man shouted back, “No, it’s OK, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me.” So the rowboat went on.
Then some people in a motorboat came by. “They shouted from the motorboat, “Jump in, we can save you.”
To this the stranded man said, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the motorboat went on.
Then a helicopter came by and the pilot shouted down, “Grab this rope and I will lift you to safety.”
To this the stranded man again replied, “No thanks, I’m praying to God and he is going to save me. I have faith.” So the helicopter reluctantly flew away.
Soon the water rose above the rooftop and the man drowned. He went to Heaven. He finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, at which point he exclaimed, “I had faith in you but you didn’t save me, you let me drown. I don’t understand why!”
To this God replied, “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?”
If you are struggling or you recognise you always have to do everything by yourself I encourage you to ask for help and then be open to God’s answer.
Because the reasons we don’t ask and receive help are the exact reasons that have and will continue to keep us stuck in our problems, hurts, habits and struggles while all along God has better for us and help available.
Ask for God’s help like His word says we can today? He hears our cries, and when we ask according to what He says and with faith He assures us He will send help. It’s then our job to look out for it and to recognise and be thankful when it arrives.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1-3)s
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
Prayer: Lord thank you that you hear my cries for help and that you promise that you will send aid. I’m asking for help today and thank you for it in advance. In Jesus name Amen.
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