On a scale from one to ten, how likely are you to ask for help from a friend? One being a no thank you while a ten being, “Somebody save me!” Some may refuse the offer completely, closing the scale at 100 just because they don’t want people to think any less of them. Why wouldn’t you want help? Another question: How willing are you to let things go? What is the correlation between the two questions you might ask and the answer is humility. As impossible as that may sound, it’s a grave indication of how much ego can eat away healthy relationships. In addition, it shows our drive to pursue everything alone.
The Lord is my strength and my defense he has become my salvation.
Psalm 118:14
Two sides of the same coin.
If you think about it, ego and desperation are similar yet different. They will work together to ensure you are alone in whatever situation. In such a situation, it is easy to have blindspots that will compromise a steady walk with Christ. They unite when “me” exists. Once either both of them take a hold on someone, it’s a hard journey ahead but to restoration none the less. We have all experienced both of these emotional drainers but what are their effects in our lives? Spiritually, they work against faith and trust.
In the Bible, God clearly says that He has great plans for us, to prosper, filled with hope, a bright future. Instead of trusting that God will unfold things in His own way, I would go ahead and begin to help God. Perhaps there are better examples but I want to narrow down on Peter and Sarah. To be honest, Peter’s zeal for Christ is to be envied! He was devoted to Christ to the point of chopping off a soldiers ear in efforts to resist Christ’s arrest. On the other hand Sarah’s story is painful. Did you know she waited for 25 years to hold Isaac in her arms? Would you wait 25 years for something God has promised you?
There’s a reason we are to walk closely with God. It more than just being a dutiful christian, we build a beautiful friendship with Him and even get to learn a few things along the way. In that unfolding, the journey, though long, grooms us for what will unfold. Looking back at these two examples, they are exemplary in how they gave us the basic building blocks in being pioneers who walked in faith and did exploits.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
Isaiah 41:10
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
To lean is to submit.
I mentioned in one of my articles that I like control. I love when when I’m able to get a basic handle of things and get them done right. If it’s not done well, I may just redo it. Over these years though, God has been peeling me like an onion, tearing away plans I made for myself and offering me something much better. It hasn’t been easy and I wouldn’t say I’m there yet but He says that he is faithful to finish what he started. To me, leaning is submitting. Where the real hard work comes in, is catching myself just before interrupting God.
I love the story of Joseph. It must have been such a difficult life for a young man. He experienced slavery, temptation and imprisonment and must have been wondering what God’s plan was and so he waited. May God help us to have such patience. With time I also have come to realize that attaining wisdom is ultimate submittion to God. I have been having a hard time at work lately and to be honest who doesn’t? There are times you just want to lay down the law as it is and some people do but for me, I have found peace just letting God deal with it. Moreover, as an added advantage, the frustration they send my way never sticks. Thank God for encouraging family and friends.
Surrender.
As Christians we are aware where all frustrations and stress comes from. Let this not be a personal vendetta at our social places. We are better than that because we are called to a royal priest hood, we are a chosen generation that lets God handle the heavy lifting. He says so Himself in His word. Our only job is to pick up His cross and follow the footsteps of Christ. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can live victorious lives even in a frustrated, loveless, dying world.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31