Help! The Gift of Learning to Lean...on Others

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. 

(Proverbs 15:14)

Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.

(Proverbs 15:22)

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 

(Proverbs 18:15)

Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words. 

(Proverbs 23:9)

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge. 

(Proverbs 23:12)

There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing. (Proverbs 20:15)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Most people hate to ask others for help. Rather than seeking a “helping hand” they have that “I can do it on my own” mentality. Sure, YouTube can help us repair our cars, dryers, and computers. Shoot, you can even learn how to build a house out of pallets!

But, there are some things in life that you just can’t YouTube. Some problems, some situations are just beyond help from a video.

Yet, we still remain stubborn and refuse to ask for help. Maybe we don’t want to feel like a burden…maybe we are a bit too prideful…maybe we are embarrassed…maybe we just like being in control of everything all the time…or maybe we hate anything that feels like a hand out.

Well, we are here to say that there is nothing wrong with asking for or seeking help. In fact, Scripture encourages it. In truth - Christians must ask God for help daily or we will not get very far in life while trying to live off of our own strength or wisdom.

We are such a prideful and arrogant bunch…and remember, “Pride comes before the fall…”

In any situation you find yourself, God wants you to ask for help. The church has far too long spread the lies that, “This is your cross to bear,” or “You just gotta have faith and it will all work out.” We are not meant to go through life alone, without one another, without help. Why do you think in Genesis, God says, “It is not right that a man should be alone…?” Hmmmm.

Believing that we can do everything by ourselves without any help ultimately leads to failure. Trusting in the Lord God is the only solution we should ever seek. As it says in Proverbs 3:5&6 - “Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and do not lean unto your own understanding - in all of your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Trust in the Lord.

Sometimes God helps us by doing things Himself (miracle) and sometimes God helps us through other people (still a miracle). None of us must never be fearful of asking for help - from God or from one another.

Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak - even though we usually do not ask for help until we finally figure out we cannot do whatever it is we need done on our own! Actually, seeking help from God and from others proves you are strong and wise.

Being proud is a sin - and an act of pure rebellion against our Creator - and it is why many people fail to ask for help even when they so desperately need it. My, oh my, how the enemy must love it when we try to do everything on our own.

Why are we writing about this? Yesterday, Missy and I were outside. Our dogs were sniffing around and I noticed one of them stopping under a tree. I went over to inspect whatever it was he was focused on.

It was a baby bird. Helpless. Laying on the ground. Its nest a good ten feet above its head.

Momma bird was screeching at the top of her lungs. Daddy bird was swirling everywhere. They were both helpless as well.

We went and got the ladder, gently picked up the helpless little fellow, climbed up the ladder to the nest and, with both bird parents going berserk, placed it back with its siblings.

After another thirty minutes or so of Momma bird screaming and Daddy bird flying circles they finally settled down. Next thing we noticed was Momma bird getting food and taking it back to the nest while Daddy bird sat on the fence. All was well in the Mulberry tree once again.

All they needed was a little help.

Don’t we all?

William Shultz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip tells this story. “People need people. Our daughter Laurie was about three when one night she requested my aid in getting undressed. I was downstairs and she was upstairs, and ... well. ‘You know how to undress yourself,’ I reminded her. ‘Yes,’ she explained, 'but sometimes people need people anyway, even if they do know how to do things by themselves." (Bits & Pieces, December 1990).

People need people. People need God. Learn to ask for help from both.

We are so great at giving help we forget that when we do not ask for help from others we are denying them that same great feeling we receive when we help others. True, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” but it sure feels good when we are drowning and someone throws us a life-line.

Ask for help. You will find it. And, you will be blest. By the way, if you need help with anything - we are here for you. And, we hope and pray, you are here for us…