14 Days of Strength in Any StruggleShembull

How to Ask and Receive by Karina Allen

Thanksgiving found me feeling not so thankful. I didn’t have plans to spend the day anywhere, and then I got sick. I spent an entire week in bed. I was miserable. Sick and alone was never what I hoped for. Yet there I was.

For the most part, I actually love being single. But one thing I loathe about single life is making every decision and taking care of myself. When I get sick, it’s just me.

Lying in bed, I rehearsed all the standard lies: I’m alone. I’m unloved. I’m unseen. I allowed the voice of the enemy to grow louder than the voice of God.

Though I would’ve normally kept all my pain and struggle to myself, the Lord prompted me to share about how I was doing with my church and to ask for prayer. Multiple texts and phone calls began to come in to check on me. One friend brought me a Thanksgiving meal. Another brought me homemade chicken noodle soup. I was blown away by the love of God through their care for me.

Reaching out for help isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it. As I received the help that I needed from my church family, I realized how focused I had become on myself and my loneliness. I’d become fixated on lies and unmet expectations, wallowing in them. Without the Lord’s nudging, I probably would’ve continued struggling alone, relying on my own strength instead of on God and others.

But God revealed to me that this was pride and not faith. I falsely believed I had to do it all myself and that I couldn’t depend on anyone. I didn’t even expect Him to provide for me.

I experienced God’s grace that Thanksgiving and learned again how much I need to trust Him, abide in Him, and commune with Him and the body of Christ. I’m not alone in this, and neither are you. There is grace for us all when we humble ourselves, ask for what we need, open our hands, and receive.

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith. GALATIANS 6:10 NLT

Where are you finding God’s strength today?