James 1:5
If you want to know what God wants you to
do, ask him, and he will gladly tell you, for he is always ready to
give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent
it.
The Living Bible
copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights
reserved.
I told someone recently...“You are lousy at
asking for help!” I said this in the most loving tone possible, but I
was deadly serious. I don’t know about you, but it frustrates me to see
someone I care about in need of help that I know that I can
provide...if only they would ask. I don’t want to intrude or force
myself upon the situation...but I would so love to be able to offer
assistance, to show the friend or loved one God’s grace and mercy in
action. Often, the “assistance” is a small thing on my part that could
have a huge impact on someone else...like running errands, providing a
meal, or just lending an ear to hear the person “vent” or “talk through”
an issue. But all I can do is sit back and watch the person struggle
to manage by himself/herself...and wait and hope that my “help” is
eventually solicited.
Do you see how we do this to God...all.the.time?
For whatever reason, we don’t take a lot of our situations and
circumstances to Him in prayer. We muddle along as best we can on our
own...and hope for the best. I can just picture God sitting in the
heavens, practically growling with frustration...knowing that He can
provide instant help, grace, mercy, and peace...but He is too much of a
gentleman to intrude or step in where He has not been invited.
We
sometimes think that God is too busy...that our issues and petitions
are too petty...that we ought to know how to do this for
ourselves...that God will be angry, disappointed, ashamed of us, or
disgusted...so we dare not mention these things to Him.
Nothing could be further from the truth. God wants
to hear from us...about anything and everything. He loves us far too
much to be in any way unhappy with us for calling upon Him. And
honestly, we all have friends and loved ones who extend God’s grace and
mercy toward us...and feel the same way. They are waiting for us to
pick up the phone or drop them a text or an e-mail and say, “I’m a
little overwhelmed here...I could use your help.”
Will you make a vow today to stop shutting out God...and also others? Will you give Him a chance to handle everything...will
you seek His will in even the seemingly small things - and see how
beautifully He answers? Will you let others bless you – and receive a
blessing in return - as they lift you up with prayers, encouragement,
and physical support?
In short, can we all get over ourselves
just a little and stop assuming that God and others stand ready to judge
us harshly at every turn? Can we quit imagining that our genuine
requests for help are an annoyance or irritation? Will we learn to
operate in grace and mercy toward others...and to accept the same in our
own lives? God is waiting to pour out His wisdom and blessings on each
of us...and others want to bless us in His name. Isn’t it time you let
them?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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