Why is it so hard to ask for help?
We'll easily ask for help if we need to move heavy furniture.
If we need cookies for VBS, we'll send around a sign-up sheet.
If grandma's first cousin on her father's side has an ingrown toenail, we put it on the prayer sheet.
But if it's a battle against temptation, we try to fight it on our own.
If we're struggling with depression, we try to pull ourselves up out of the mire.
If we are having trouble communicating with our spouses, we laugh about it and ignore it.
Why don't we ask for help with spiritual problems?
Pride.
And that's why we see so little success in our spiritual lives.
"But God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).
We like the last part of the verse. "Be humble and God will help" is our battle cry.
Have you thought about the first part? "God resists the proud." God is actively fighting against the proud. He is ignoring them. He is choosing not to help them.
And He is God. The all-powerful, all-knowing Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Do you think you might be able to wear Him down?
Just yesterday I learned this lesson. Texting two friends to pray for me in the battle in my mind, calling out for help. As the day progressed, God gave grace. He filled my mind with verses, songs and thoughts of the day's activities. I no longer had to fight, because God was giving me grace instead of resisting me.
Will I remember that lesson for a few more days?
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