A Different Kind of Love Storyনমুনা

Asking for Help

If the enemy had his way, each of us would feel like the only one on earth who needed help. I think the main reason I didn’t want to ask for help was, in some ways, I wanted to stay sick. Each tiny bit of my secret that I shared felt like I was handing over my power—my control—bit by bit. And God? Sure. I would say over and over how I wanted God to be in control of my life. But that was another lie. I wanted control. And not just a little. I wanted all of it.

It was also difficult for me to ask for help because I was afraid. Maybe you can relate to that. I was afraid of every possible outcome—rejection, exposure, or that I was too far gone to be helped. Why do we do that? Why do we always assume the negative what-ifs are more likely than the positive what-ifs? Because isn’t it just as possible that I would be accepted, find grace, be seen and known and loved anyway, or get better.

Another big reason people don’t ask for help is pride. I can’t say that was my particular issue with my eating disorder, but I’ve definitely let my ego get in the way of asking for help in other instances. We’re afraid we’ll be seen as weak. But isn’t asking for help the opposite of weak? Think about it.

What takes more courage, speaking out or staying silent? 

What takes more bravery, taking a step or remaining still? 

What takes more strength, being comfortable or making progress?

God created us with a need for help. It’s part of His design for us as humans: “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18). God also tells us that His power is perfected when we are weak because that’s when He’s the strongest. In our heads, we know these things. But in practice, the lies we’ve believed become louder than what we know to be true.

When we ask for help, we acknowledge that we can’t go through life on our own, and that we stand in need of a Savior. When we’re honest, we recognize our true position before a holy God. And what do we find at our place of need? We find Jesus Who loves us just as we are. 

What do you fear most about giving up control? What lie might be woven into that fear?