Asking for help can be one of the hardest things in the world to do. All too often we seek out help once we have nothing left and the timing has become incredibly inconvenient (Luke 11:6). It’s never comfortable to approach someone else and confess that you yourself are not enough for something. And then to take another step forward and ask for their assistance seems like further damnation into what feels like immediate rejection. What if they say no? If they say no, then you just put yourself in an incredibly vulnerable position hoping and wishing and praying that they might be the answer to your weakness. Then, your brain continues down the path of negativity and you attempt to evaluate your worth based on their rejection and let’s face it you might as well just give up before you even ask.
And so, in an effort to maintain whatever “strength” and dignity you have you stand firm in your weakness, hoping your situation gets better and you can endure the challenges. Or maybe God will perform one of his miracles on your behalf and the answer to your life’s problems will just fall into your lap. Or, when all else fails, you then tag on the statement of “Well, everything happens for a reason.” and that’s why your situation never changed.
Asking for help is one of the hardest things in the world. But it’s worth it. It’s worth risking your independence, your image and essentially your pride. Because by approaching someone else for assistance you are inviting them to be a part of something that is developing and evolving. They get the opportunity to leave their mark on you, your project or your life.
Now no one wants their time, skills or money to go to waste when those things are being given away. So the giver needs to be asked or prompted. They want to know what they give will actually be used, seen and recognized. It’s inherently in people to desire to give good gifts (Luke 11:13), but it’s not inherently in someone to ask for them. Bringing back the original problem… asking.
So how do you overcome the struggle? Realize your worth does not lie in the one being asked. Accept the fact that you need help and embrace who it is you are seeking for guidance or assistance. Recognize their value and what that will add to your cause, and make THAT known to them. Show them their part in your “something greater, your something worth while” endeavor. Finally, be thankful that you even have that person in your life.
Over the past month I’ve been diving into the gospel of Luke and at time’s it’s been something to “get through” and at other times the scripture passage seems to fall right in line with my life being exactly what I need to hear. Luke 11:5-13 was one of those times. Jesus tells a story of a desperate man begging his friend at the least convenient time of day for help. Through the beggars persistence his friend answers his plea and the man is back on his feet.
Verse 13 is where I seemed to pause and meditate. My personal paraphrase was “if mankind can willingly give good gifts can you imagine the gifts our heavenly Father desires to give us?!” So don’t give up! Allow yourself to ask and ask again. You will receive, your answers will be found and doors will be opened.
“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Luke 11:9
To those who are a part of my “Something greater, my something worth while.”
