Help!

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."
"My help is in the name of the Lord who made the heavens and the earth."


I am not gifted in asking for help.  I find this to be a fault in me. That may sound strange; I'm not needy so there's something wrong with me?  Let me explain.


I love to give of my time, my talents, my opinions, my energies to others.  I am energized when I can comfort or encourage someone in conversation, in writing, in deed.  And I feel very blessed when someone encourages me in the same way.  But to ask someone to do something for me that will involve any kind of sacrifice of time or energy on their part is a request I avoid like I would avoid a stray dog in my path.  I have a healthy fear of the stray dog; I have an unhealthy fear of rejection or the feeling of neediness or obligation that asking for help brings.  I'm sure that some of it is pride; I don't want to be thought of as 'needy' or incapable of doing something myself.


It is difficult to need; it is much easier to figure out a way to get by on my own.  But that is not how God  planned for His people to relate to each other.  He calls us His body (The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”); and although one could survive with one arm, or one kidney, or one eye, ear, hand, it is not ideal.  In fact, if we know someone who is handicapped in these ways, we naturally assume that they struggle with some aspects of living that we take for granted.  So I need not 'go it alone' ; I can and should ask for help and accept it, even rejoice in it.


When I need help from someone, I am meeting the design requirements of my Maker.  And when I give help, I am also fulfilling His desire for the Body.   I believe the Lord places me at times in situations where I must ask for help.  Help packing, help cleaning, help homeschooling, help even in giving to others: all these are ways that I can ask and receive physical help that serves me personally.  When help is given, I must thank God for the help, thank the person for her time and energies spent on me, and remember that I am not only  blessed when giving but also when receiving.