Do You Need Any Help?
Growing up, I received quite an education in classic country songs from my dad. One singer he was fond of was Bill Carlyle, also known as Hot Shot Elmer.
One of Carlyle’s song was called Do You Need Any Help? The chorus went something like this.
Do you need any help? (No help wanted)
Do you need any help? (No help wanted)
Do you need any help? Do you need any help?
I can handle this job all by myself.
This song is a testament to great American individualism and independence. It is, however, terrible Biblical theology.
Unfortunately, I see too many of us pursuing this American philosophy rather than what the Bible points us toward.
No where in the Bible have I seen us encouraged to not seek help. In fact, we are told that ultimately we cannot help ourselves and must seek God’s help in all things.
I see people who cannot help themselves and I see that we, the Church, should allow God to help each other through us.
I see people who do, indeed, need some help.
Do you live life not “needing any help”? Or do you seek others help in your life?
I tend to seek help. I KNOW I cannot make it on my own.
Bill, the older I get, the more I do.
I def need help. Without other people we are just parts of the body. Together we are complete.
Good point, Rob.
I totally agree, we should learn to accept help from others. This might not be worded right, but you will get the point.
So many times we see people in situations where it is obvious they are in over their heads turn down the offer of help. Is it due to independence or that they would then feel they owe you for your help? Your comment that no where in the bible does it mention man helping man, only directing us to seek His help and to depend on Him.
I am one who will ask for help if there is any chance I could be in over my head. I also will offer to help when I see someone trying to do it on their own. Many times I get turned down, but once in a while my offer is accepted. I think, like you indicate, the church should teach us to allow others to help us through the love of Christ. Many times this help could have been sent by God in answer to your prayer. I know, for myself, I have been lead to offer help to someone when I was sitting on the chair at home reading a book. The thought just came to me to go down the street and offer to help one of my neighbors. God sent me! I am sure of this.
Walk daily with God at your side!
Ed
Awesome, Ed.
Over the last few years, this has been the most important lesson I’ve learned. Asking for help and being part of a community helps move you forward faster than doing it on your own. It encourages you, and motivates you to do more than you would individually. Great post!
Tammy, that’s what I love about the blogging communities I have become a part of. Everyone loves to help each other.
I always need help!!!
Amen! Me too, Arny
Rob, most things I can ask for help with, and I do believe the church as a whole needs to do a better job with this. Yet there are some things that are very hard to ask for help. When I have had struggles in my marriage, I had to learn that not everyone needs to know nor can everyone help. But the important thing is that we did seek godly help.
Then I on the not so personal side, I have a friend that moved from out of town and had a hard time asking people to help her with her three children. She felt she was burdening people to ask such a request, and a group of us looked at her one day and told her that we would seriously be glad to help her whenever. She just had a hard time with this idea. She felt as a stay at home mom that is what she should do.
I believe since family has become so scattered it is harder to build that kind of community. I have been forced to build it on my own each place we have moved. (only 2 times thank goodness). I have not had family close by since my son was an infant, and he is almost 15 now. It can be done, but we have to be willing to accept help as well as give it.
The same applies to the spiritual struggles we have in our lives too!
Great post!
My nature is to try and do everything on my own. However I have learned the importance of asking for and getting help from others. I can’t be effective on my own. Great thoughts.