Send Help

It’s ok to reach out for help you know.

Feels weird saying that.

On one end, it almost seems obvious. Like it shouldn’t have to be said. On the other end, we don’t want to seem needy and like we don’t trust God, or that we aren’t strong enough to handle it. Whatever “it” is. I don’t think God intends for us to fight our battles alone. Actually, I KNOW He doesn’t. Even Jesus asked His disciples to stay awake and pray with Him in the Garden because He couldn’t battle that night alone. (Though the disciples fell asleep when they were most needed. So don’t feel terrible for falling asleep during your devotionals lol)

Now hear me, the whole world and every human being on the internet doesn’t need to know all the details of what you're going through. Don’t let this be an excuse to look for attention by posting your mental battles all over your Instagram stories or tell the whole of humanity about your struggles. Transparency and honesty with people is good and absolutely necessary, but I think it’s safe to say that there’s a fine line. And this isn’t so much because you aren’t comfortable with finally sharing your struggles, it’s just to protect you from people who may not be mature enough to know. Social media is such a public platform that can be good and bad.

See, Jesus didn’t ask the crowds to stay with him in the Garden that night. He asked His disciples to be with Him. During His most vulnerable moment, just hours before His excruciating death. Don’t put your whole business out for the world to see, but of course you can ask for prayer. I share the story of my family cause our testimony doesn’t just belong to us but for those that hear so they can acknowledge God. But only those closest to me know the daily struggles or even personal struggles.

Seek a handful of close companions you can really trust. Share with each other those inner battles and pray together. Do life with them and let them lift your arms when you can’t so you can then lift their arms when they can’t.

You really don’t have to be alone. Don’t think for one minute people will ostracize you because you have battles in your mind. It’s fine if you don’t know how to explain them. Some friends are good for just peaceful company. No words are needed. No problem-fixing dialog has to happen. Just being present can mean the world. People can’t care unless they know. God can’t use someone if you aren’t willing to let them in. Don’t ever feel like a burden. Jesus didn’t die for you to feel that way.

And trust me. I don’t always reach out because I dismiss my feelings as not important compared to someone else’s. I’ll tell myself I’ll be fine and I just need to push through. Someone else needs me to be strong for them so I have to be strong for them. My needs can wait. My mom is in pain so my loneliness is just ridiculous. How can I compare my emotional pain with her physical pain?

So yea, trust me, I know about not wanting to ask for help. I’m the first one. But as I encourage me I want to encourage you. Let’s reach out to one another.

1. Ask for help.

2. Don’t expose yourself for others to talk.

3. Trust your few.

4. Keep your eyes on God.