by Steve Countryman
“I need you!” I find myself telling God this almost daily. It is a reality of where I am in my relationship with my heavenly Father. It is also sad that it took me so long to come to this realization. How often have I waited until I have exhausted all of my options before considering bringing my problems to my God in prayer. Taking it to God should ALWAYS be our first option, not our last.
I find it strange that I have spent most of my Christian walk wanting to be a better Christian, a better Christian friend, a better Christian husband, and a better Christian business owner; but doing it on my own terms, thinking that I knew what to do and how to do it as well as the next Christian. All of this was based on my own perception and feelings—making all my decisions by leaning on my own understanding. HOW FOOLISH!
God has gone to great lengths to provide us, His children, ALL we will ever need… His Son Jesus who died upon a cross for the sins of the world and was raised again. His Word with every answer to every possible problem. His awesome Holy Spirit to guide our steps and direct our paths, changing us from glory to glory. His angels to help and to protect. Every possible spiritual tool that we could ever need is provided, all wrapped in His wonderful blessings of divine health and prosperity. 3 John 2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
I know how frustrated I can get when I’m trying to help someone who won’t accept my help. You know the person who, every time you see that individual, always tells you his or her stories of woe, but refuses to accept any advice or help from you. It’s like you’re being invited to a “pity party” but not allowed to attend unless you’re willing to only give comfort and sympathy.
I marvel at God’s patience and mercy, for we Christians treat God the same way. We cry out for God to help us and beg Him to answer our prayers, but when He answers them and sends the help, we ignore Him. We choose to lean on our own understanding instead of leaning on the One who can deliver us from ALL of our problems!
I have learned the hard way that it’s a good thing to need God’s help in ALL things, at ALL times, and in ALL ways! Leaning on God and His Word is the only way to live. Why try to just survive each day when you can have the victory in all things and live an extraordinary life? Try living for God instead of living for yourself. Otherwise, you spend most of your time staring at your “tray of trash”—all of your problems. You waste your time and energy worrying about what’s on your tray, while becoming a stale, worthless Christian in the meantime.
Anyone who has had addictions or serious problems and was sincere about getting help had to admit first that they needed help, that they couldn’t fix it on their own. They had to be willing to receive the necessary help to get through their issues. If not, then the help wouldn’t help! Admitting that you need God isn’t a sign of weakness, but of victory! When you’re in over your head—as we all are at times—there is only one who can rescue you, and His name is Jesus!
For those who think that they don’t need God are the TRUE examples of fools. There are those who are ignorant of the truth and don’t know better. There are others who are stupid because they know better, but choose to ignore the truth. Then there are those who are boastful fools because they know better and are proud of their stupidity for ignoring the truth.
What about you? Do you acknowledge your need for God or do you try to handle everything on your own? It is a matter of trust, and I choose to trust in Jesus. Lord, I need you!
