If someone says, “How are you today?” No matter how we feel, we usually respond, “Fine, how are you?” Why do we do that? Are we really “fine?” Maybe it really is a “beautiful day in the neighborhood,” and all is well in your world. Or maybe you value your privacy and don’t want anyone to know what’s really going on. Maybe, you don’t want to burden others and make them feel like they need to “do something.” In past posts, we’ve discussed those “magic words” of “please” and “thank you.” Today, I want us to consider “magic words” that we will do almost anything sometimes to keep from saying them, and that’s “I need help.”
Why is it so hard for us to ask for help? Perhaps, we don’t actually know or can’t think of what we need right then. Often during a crisis, such as a hospitalization or the death of a loved one, we are so tired and numb, that we really can’t think straight! We know that there are probably millions of things that need done, but all we can say is “Thank you. I appreciate you asking and I’ll let you know.” Yet, that “letting them know day” rarely comes.
It may be pride that keeps us from asking for help. We’re fine, right? It’s difficult to let our guards down and let others in on the fact that we’re not perfect. Hard times come to all of us. We all need help at some time or another, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to ask for it.
But, how will others know how they can help, if we don’t tell them? So many people rob others from the blessing of being able to do something for them. Are you guilty of that? Helping others not only helps those being helped, it also helps the helper. Christians are “by love to serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13b) We are to comfort one another and edify each other (I Thessalonians 5:11) I know of people who don’t want it announced in services when they are not feeling up to par. Me – if I’m not doing well, I want so many people to bring my name before God’s throne that He gets tired of hearing it! Our church family is just that – it’s our family, who truly are just trying to show that we are Christians by our love.
While saying, “I need help,” may be difficult words, they are “magic!” Try them. Simply blessed, Courtney
I know–now that I’m old old and do need help sometimes, I hate to ask for it–BUT without that help, especially from my family, I HAVE to ask for it. Thank God for my family–and that includes my church family. God is so good to me.
Amen!