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
Showing posts with label letting others help us. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letting others help us. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for September 20, 2012
James 5:13-15
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Some of you have seen a video I posted on Facebook of our 3-year-old nephew, Timothy, “reading” a book to my mother-in-law, who he calls “Grandma E.” At one point, Grandma E holds a corner of the book for Timmy, so that the pages don’t fall as he reads them. Timmy gently nudges her hand away in a gesture that says, “I can do this by myself!” This is so typical of toddlers… and teenagers… and senior citizens – and all of us! We often feel that we don’t need any help. We are “big boys and girls” and can make our own decisions, handle our own problems, and make it on our own.
In truth, we all need a friend once in a while. We need someone to share our joys, sorrows, illnesses, challenges, worries and fears. We need an encouraging voice… someone to pray with us or for us… someone to say, “I understand.” It helps to talk with another person who can say, “I have been in your shoes… and this is how I survived,” or “I’ve got your back… we’ll get through this together.” And there is no shame in asking for help. In fact, James clearly tells us to do this very thing!
So call on the LORD to help you. Praise Him, and also share your happiness with those around you. Let someone know when you are sick or in distress… and allow others to love you and help you through life. Let the encouragement and support of family, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ help you to heal. One of my mom’s friends told her that when we fail to allow others to minister to us, we rob them of a blessing. Serve God by sharing in the lives of those around you… and allow them to do the same for you. Bless others in God’s name by being a blessing to them… and give them the opportunity to reciprocate.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you’ve sinned, you’ll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Some of you have seen a video I posted on Facebook of our 3-year-old nephew, Timothy, “reading” a book to my mother-in-law, who he calls “Grandma E.” At one point, Grandma E holds a corner of the book for Timmy, so that the pages don’t fall as he reads them. Timmy gently nudges her hand away in a gesture that says, “I can do this by myself!” This is so typical of toddlers… and teenagers… and senior citizens – and all of us! We often feel that we don’t need any help. We are “big boys and girls” and can make our own decisions, handle our own problems, and make it on our own.
In truth, we all need a friend once in a while. We need someone to share our joys, sorrows, illnesses, challenges, worries and fears. We need an encouraging voice… someone to pray with us or for us… someone to say, “I understand.” It helps to talk with another person who can say, “I have been in your shoes… and this is how I survived,” or “I’ve got your back… we’ll get through this together.” And there is no shame in asking for help. In fact, James clearly tells us to do this very thing!
So call on the LORD to help you. Praise Him, and also share your happiness with those around you. Let someone know when you are sick or in distress… and allow others to love you and help you through life. Let the encouragement and support of family, friends, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ help you to heal. One of my mom’s friends told her that when we fail to allow others to minister to us, we rob them of a blessing. Serve God by sharing in the lives of those around you… and allow them to do the same for you. Bless others in God’s name by being a blessing to them… and give them the opportunity to reciprocate.
©2012 Debbie Robus
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