We all need people to whom we can go to in time of need. But that is not what most of us do when we need help. Most of us are embarrassed or too proud to go to someone with our problems. We believe that people will think less of us.
So what do most of us do in times of trouble? We often isolate ourselves. We keep it all on the inside and suffer silently, or make bad decisions because we don’t seek advice from someone with more knowledge or experience. But this is a dangerous place to be. It’s a place where your real enemy the devil wants you to be because when you are alone, you are vulnerable to attack.
So what do most of us do in times of trouble? We often isolate ourselves. We keep it all on the inside and suffer silently, or make bad decisions because we don’t seek advice from someone with more knowledge or experience. But this is a dangerous place to be. It’s a place where your real enemy the devil wants you to be because when you are alone, you are vulnerable to attack.
God illustrated this point to me using something as simple as farm animals. I would frequently pass by a farm on my commute into town and I noticed that the animals always remained huddled together in a pack. No matter what part of the field in which they were feeding, they remained together. One day as I drove by the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. He asked me, “Do you know why they do this?” I answered “No.” He continued, “I gave them this survival instinct to group together because there is strength in numbers. They are not as vulnerable to attack by predators when they are in tight packs.”
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| Our “adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 |
He then communicated to me that we His children are likewise vulnerable to attack by our enemy when we isolate ourselves. He brought to my mind a Scripture, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NKJV):
9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
Through this lesson, God communicated three pieces of advice to me. One, when we are hurting or in trouble, we should seek out someone we respect for help. The person from whom you seek help might be able to help you see a way out because when hurting emotions are running high so our ability to think clearly on our own is diminished. And don’t be embarrassed. We all make mistakes. No one except God is perfect.
Second, when we have a big decision to make, seek advice of other people who have knowledge or experience in the area. Listen to people who know more about a subject than you do. Be humble. The Bible has plenty to say on this subject:
Proverbs 12:15 - The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.
Proverbs 13:10 - Wisdom is found in those that take advice.
Proverbs 15:22 - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 20:18 - Make plans by seeking advice.
Proverbs 24:6 - In the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 15:22 - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 20:18 - Make plans by seeking advice.
Proverbs 24:6 - In the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Third, reach out to others who might be alone. If you see people isolated because of personality or problems, reach out to them. One word from you could change everything. The Bible is clear that God comforts us so that we can comfort others. See Second Corinthians 1:3-4. And please don’t make the mistake of thinking that you are better than someone else. What do you have that hasn’t been given to you? (See First Corinthians 4:7 - "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?").
Some of my best friends are people who I never thought God would put me with. But God was looking at their heart, not their exterior or what they have or what position they occupy. Until next time, be blessed our friends.
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