Help

Have you ever heard the quote “God helps those who help themselves?” It has been attributed to the Bible, but it is not in there! It was from Benjamin Franklin, who got it from Ancient Greece, but we won’t go there. Anyway, it is NOT a quote from the Bible.

So, what is help? The Merriam Webster dictionary says “help” is to give assistance or support to, to be of use to, benefit, promote. It is not wrong to need or want help.

There is an attitude among some people that to need help is to be weak. They will not ask for help, even when it is direly needed. “I don’t need charity!” This is not strength; this is pride and selfishness. Yes, selfishness – thinking of oneself more than anyone else. Thinking you can do it without God, or anyone else’s help is prideful. We were built to help others and to be helped. We were built for community.

It’s okay to ask for help. It is a recognition that you are not all powerful. There have been times in our marriage when things have been so overwhelming because of work, children, church, etc. I used to think, “Can’t my husband see that I need his help? Why won’t he help me?” No, he couldn’t see. He wasn’t blind or insensitive, it’s just not how he is wired. So, I had to learn to ask him for his help when I needed or wanted it. He was happy to help, he just needed direction on what needed to be done.

Yes, you can ask for help just if you want help. You don’t have to need it! If you only ask when you are in dire straits and need, need, need the help, you may be operating in pride and selfishness again. Don’t deny someone the joy of entering into your life in a certain situation and partnering together with you just because you fear they will think you don’t have it all together. We need each other!

That doesn’t mean that you always ask for help. It’s okay to do some things on your own. God has given equipped you to accomplish things for Him. Just let Him help you so you know you are doing it right and with the right attitude!

When Jesus was about to go to His death on the cross, He told His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to us in His place. He called Him the Helper. We have a Helper. We have His help whenever we ask for it. Just like most people in our life, God is happy to help us. He wants to see us succeed. He wants us to live happy and prosperous lives, like any good father. I know I need His help every single day. He doesn’t expect me to do life alone. He wants to be a part of it, and He has others He wants to send to you to share life with.

Psalm 46:1 in The Passion Translation says “God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble – more than enough and always available whenever I need you.”

Be humble. Allow Him to help you. Allow others to help you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s a lesson I’m still working on. One way we can help each other is to pray for each other. Then, if God leads you to do something else, do it! They may be asking Him for help, and you may be the one He chooses to answer that request!