Have you ever been in trouble but were too afraid to ask for help?  If so, you are not alone. One of the hardest things for some people to do is admit they need help. They’d rather go without than be vulnerable enough to ask for what they need.  However, as a child of God, there are 3 reasons why you should never be afraid to ask for help:

1. God helps you through others

2. God detests a spirit of pride.

3. You learn who God is in your trouble.

Of all the lessons we’ve learned this past year, I think one of the things we understand is that we all need a little help every now and then.  Pride and independence have no room to ride when you are on a journey with God.

I remember the day God taught me to never be afraid to ask for help. It was early one morning on my way to work.  I stopped at a Shell gas station to fill up.  Normally I would do so the night before to avoid running late in the mornings, but this particular time, I hadn’t done that. 

After filling up, I turned the ignition to start my car, but it wouldn’t start. I tried a few more times, but the car wouldn’t turn over.  Unfortunately for me, my AAA had expired months earlier.

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Why is it that your car always seems to break down or get in an accident when you have a full tank of gas? 

I called AAA to renew my service, but it was going to take at least an hour before a truck could get to my location.  What a way to start my day!

I climbed into the backseat with my then 3-month-old who was waking up for her first feed of the day.  It was so cold that morning.  All I had was a small blanket to keep us warm until AAA decided to show up.  Feeling helpless, I prayed with tears in my eyes, Jesus, I need you right now. I need you to help me. 

Not even 5 minutes after praying that simple prayer, a bright red truck pulled up at the gas pump next to mine.  A tall, dark-haired man in a navy blue uniform got out of the truck and went into the store.  From the looks of the stripes on his jacket, he was either a police officer or a fireman. I figured he was the perfect person to ask for help. 

I put my daughter in her car seat, got out of the car, and popped my hood.  When the man came back to his truck, I leaped on the opportunity and asked without hesitation, if he had any jumper cables.  The man nodded and smiled agreeing to help me.  He attached the cables to my battery and then to his and my car started right up.

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The way it happened was like a scene out of a movie.  However, I knew it was God making not only His presence but His character known. He was showing Himself as a provider, a present help in my trouble.  God placed that man on my path to prove that he will meet all of my needs according to his riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

Sometimes you have to be put in positions where you have no one to call so the only one you need to call can show up.  From that experience I learned to open my mouth. I realized that my help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:2), but through the hands of others.

So how do you break the fear to ask for help? Here are the tips:

1. Understand that God helps you through others.

God will either provide for you Himself, or He’ll send another person to provide just what you need at the time you need it. Have you ever heard the saying, blessed to be a blessing? Well, that’s exactly how God works. He will purposely bless another person so that person can be a blessing to you. Whatever you need, He’ll put it in the hands of others to provide for you. God is the source, but others are his vessels.

You should never be afraid to ask for help because you never know what God has in someone else’s hands or heart for you. He will put the right people in the right place at the right time for your benefit. You only need to open your mouth and ask. You have not because you ask not (James 4:2). Remember, your help comes from the Lord, but He often uses others to do it.

2. Remember that God detests a spirit of pride.

Many times, people miss out on blessings because of their prideful nature. Pride leads to destruction; and a proud attitude brings ruin (Proverbs 16:18, NCV). James 4:6 says, God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Wouldn’t it be a shame if God placed exactly what you needed in the hands of another human being but you missed it because you were too proud to ask?

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.  It takes a strong person to admit they need help.  Pride is what keeps your mouth closed. If you look at the word PRIDE, right there in the middle is the letter “I.” Before you can let go of your pride, you have to take the “I” out of your situation.  How “I” feel, or how would “I” look asking for help.

Being the type of person I was, I would’ve never asked anyone what I asked that man, but I was desperate. When you’re desperate enough, you’ll take the “I” out of your situation, cast your pride aside, and open your mouth.  The latter requires us to be vulnerable, humble, and receptive to God’s ways. 

We have to know how to fall back so God can come forth.  That’s how He draws us near and into dependent relationship with Him.  Don’t let your pride be the reason you don’t ask for help and block a blessing in your life.

3. Recognize that you learn who God is in your trouble.

Just like my experience at the gas station that morning, God wants to show Himself as your provider. He wants to be a present help in times of trouble. If I had others I could call, I’d never known that God could be a provider that day.

Sometimes God wants you to make the first move so He can show Himself faithful. You’ll never know how big and great God is if you aren’t willing to take a leap of faith. Never be afraid to ask for help. It is in your trouble that you learn the character of your God.

You should never be afraid to ask for help when you need it.  It is a humbling experience but it is also a spiritual one as we were meant to depend on God for all of our needs. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up (James 4:10).

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