The joy of accepting help

I have found it to be true — that I am one of the greatest offenders when it comes to passing up help because "I can do it myself."

Be it church members offering to carry tables, other pastors offering their services, or friends offering to pay for a meal, my tendency is to show great appreciation for the offer but say, "Oh, I just couldn’t trouble you; I’ve got this."

In recognizing this about myself, I must zoom out to the grander picture, and I see that I do this so often with God, our creator, master and friend.

So why do I make this point? Because it causes me to rely on my own strength so often, it can get to the point that relying on myself is all I know, and I suspect that I’m not the only one who struggles with this bad habit. It can plant seeds of bitterness because "I’m always helping others, but nobody ever helps me." Or even worse, it can give us a false sense of reliability upon self. 

Over the last few months, I’ve been working on this, trying to accept help from people who offer, and also trying to fully put my reliance on God. There is such wisdom in Paul’s words:

"But he answered me, 'My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.' So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak, I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me." (2 Corinthians 12:9 TPT)

Let’s allow our weakness to be exposed, so that we are then brought into Christ's power. He will never fail us as some people do; He will never grow weary as we do; and He will never create seeds of bitterness as we so often do for ourselves. But His power, His might, His word bring us into the fullness of joy that His presence promises.

Justin Gardner pastors at River of Life Fellowship, 702 Church St., Sandpoint. The church can be reached at 208-255-7111.