Sometimes life doesn’t look the way you want it to.
Sometimes your life is out of your control. Sometimes the things you were once free to do are no longer available to you.
There are times in our lives when we are completely dependent on others. There are seasons when we need to depend on others for some things but not others.
For many of us, those are difficult seasons.
We are taught self-reliance early in our lives. We are told to help ourselves. And that is a good thing. We need to be able to help ourselves.
But what if we can’t?
Is it bad to rely on others?
Not according to Scripture.
Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one…”
Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens…”
The list goes on. Over and over again, Scripture tells us to rely on one another. So why do we pull away when we need help?
Isolation Feels Easy
When things get difficult, many of us turn toward isolation.
We pull away from those who would help us. We step away from the church, from friends, from family, and sometimes even from God.
Isolation feels easy.
If we don’t tell anyone what we are going through, they can’t judge us.
That feels safe.
Protective.
Sometimes even right.
Isolation whispers that we can do it on our own.
Pride says they won’t understand.
But Scripture tells us to share our burdens. To lean on the people God has placed in our lives.
And to lean on God.
Dependence on God
When we think of dependence, many of us see it as being helpless.
That is not the case.
Dependence is simply allowing those who can help to help.
The same goes for dependence on God.
God longs for us to rely on Him.
As a father, I can relate.
Watching your children struggle to do something when all they need to do is ask for help can be frustrating and sometimes heartbreaking.
Watching a tired child trying to put on their shoes is devastating.
It is something they have done a hundred times.
They can do it easily most of the time.
But for that moment, they can’t.
For that moment, they need their father.
That’s how I think of God looking at us.
Yes, we can do many things. We walk through life every day. We take care of ourselves. We solve problems.
But there are days when we need our Father.
He is not disappointed.
He is not angry.
He wants us to ask.
Dependence on God is a daily need.
Every day is another chance to turn to our Father and say, “I can’t do it alone.”
Every day, He is there, waiting for His children to seek Him.
Seek Him
Don’t wait until life falls apart.
Wake up every day and seek God. Draw closer to the Father.
Don’t wait until you need a support system to build one. Seek out friends and family who care for you now.
Don’t wait until there is nowhere left to turn.
Turn to the Father daily.
We were never meant to carry everything alone.
What are you trying to do on your own that you were never meant to?
First…
Listen to the podcast:
Then…
Reflect on where God might be inviting you to move from self-reliance toward dependence.
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