Have you ever asked help from God?
It is so said in the book Sitting on Jesus’s Lap: Life on Earth by Troy Louis, “Help is a word that is being used more and more, without any accountability or action. Maybe a hundred years ago, people were reluctant to ask for help, while now the outcries for help are much greater.
“What is going on in today’s society that’s causing this cry for help to be used often? Is it just a common word that people use so freely? Or is it because we have an extremely high out cry for help from all the problems we have on earth? Is anyone listening? Does anyone care? Is it doing me any justice? Or is the cry for help being taken in vain?”
How do you feel about asking help, especially from God? When things are not going right for you in life, do you ask help from God? Why or why not?
In life, we want to be masters of our own destiny and our every situation. Many of us hate to ask others for help because we cling to the “I can do it on my own” mentality. Sometimes it’s because we don’t want to be turned down or feel like a burden to others. Or probably it’s because we want to control everything – and we believe we can control just anything.
However, we often realize not all of life is under our control, such as a job loss, a child’s illness, a downturn in the stock market, conflict among family members, or a pandemic, all of which are unfortunate and unforeseen events that make our emotions cry out in despair, “God, help me!”
Or… do we?
We all need help at some point in our lives. Yes, asking help is hard but we can’t always choose to grin and bear it and pretend everything is fine. You can’t go sulk in your room, cut yourself off from family and friends, throw yourself a pity party, and then fall apart emotionally.
Why would you suffer silently? Why do you think your problem is too insignificant for God to care about?
It’s never a sign of weakness to ask God for help, rather it’s a sign of trusting God, He who will come to our aid, He whom we believe will answer when we call Him for help. “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
So, why should we ask for God’s help?
- With God, we are never alone in our troubles
Our prayers for help are too overwhelming to speak, especially when our emotions overflow. There are times that pain is too much for us to handle. Nevertheless, amid the groaning and tears, God understands us — and we are never alone. “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).
Whatever your need is, pray to God and be joyful that He will help you go through your problems. Humbly acknowledge your total dependence on Him. God hears you and He will help. “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me” (Psalm 57:2).
- God loves us
Isn’t it a good feeling to know that God loves us? Because He is our Father. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13).
As our Father, God loves us. He loves us and wants to help us through our challenges. His love is constant and beyond words for His children, ever wanting to help even more than a loving earthly father desires to help his children. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11-13).
Knowing that God loves you, will you still hide your need from Him?
- God created us with a need for help
As mentioned earlier, it’s never a sign of weakness to ask God for help, especially when He created us with a need for help from another person — or Him. Do you remember why God created Eve for Adam? “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18).
Therefore, asking help from others, particularly God, isn’t admitting failure but recognizing the way He created us, that we are to receive help and provision from others and not become wholly self-sufficient.
Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in the midst of uncertainty, we should believe in the good news, that with trust in God, we are never helpless. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Don’t be ashamed to ask help from God today. Have faith He will answer in His perfect timing.
The Happy Hammock 