What Kills You Makes You StrongerSample

TOO STRONG FOR HELP

I am sure it comes as no surprise that the jokes about men asking for directions or reading instruction manuals have some truth to them. Accepting help is a clear sign of weakness. And King Amaziah was no different than many of us today.

When God sent yet another prophet to Amaziah about his idolatry habits, he reacted in a way that is very typical to us. “But the king interrupted him and said, ‘Since when have I made you the king’s counselor? Be quiet now before I have you killed!’” (2 Chronicles 25:16, NLT). Luckily I do not have the king’s authority to kill people as for offering their help!

For some reason, we often believe that people who are trying to help us actually want us to fail. It does not make sense, I know. There are many more efficient ways to destroy someone than by offering good advice! But “some reason” is actually very simple. When someone offers us wise counsel, our weakness is exposed. It means that everybody can see that we do not know what we are doing at that specific moment. It is very scary and humiliating to step into such a vulnerable space.

A good way to combat our aversion to accepting help is by keeping in mind some sayings by the wisest person who ever lived. From the first chapter of Proverbs, King Solomon hammers on the importance of accepting wise instruction. “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance” (Proverbs 1:5, NLT). “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise” (v. 23).

Do you often take offense when other people offer you help or advice? How do you feel when others see you in a moment of weakness?

Let us look at our weaknesses as a way to become stronger. Let us humble our hearts by listening to wise counsel. “..You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls” (James 1:19-21, NLT)