Nov. 6, 2025
#33 - The Blessings of Accepting Help
The player is loading ...
Many of us are comfortable giving help but hesitate to receive it. In this episode, Dr. Cory Potter explores why that happens, especially in Western culture where independence is prized. Drawing from psychology and Scripture, we look at how pride, perfectionism, and fear of burdening others can keep us from the support God designed us to experience. You’ll hear biblical examples of those who accepted help and see how learning to receive can deepen connection, grow humility, and strengthen your walk with Christ.
WEBVTT
00:00:05.409 --> 00:00:07.589
Thanks for joining me today on the Mind of Faith
00:00:07.589 --> 00:00:11.230
Matters podcast. I'm Dr. Cory Potter. So let
00:00:11.230 --> 00:00:13.570
me first say this, that I've gotten better with
00:00:13.570 --> 00:00:16.530
this topic over time just with practice, and
00:00:16.530 --> 00:00:20.030
that is accepting help. But I'd like to start
00:00:20.030 --> 00:00:23.989
with a picture. Imagine that a friend offers
00:00:23.989 --> 00:00:27.429
to carry your groceries in for you, or maybe
00:00:27.429 --> 00:00:29.969
a neighbor says, I can watch the kids for an
00:00:29.969 --> 00:00:33.659
hour. What is your first instinct? Many of us
00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:37.979
politely smile and say, I'm fine. Even when we
00:00:37.979 --> 00:00:40.740
really could use that help and we're not fine.
00:00:42.020 --> 00:00:44.420
We love helping others, but when it comes to
00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:47.659
receiving help, something inside us resists.
00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:51.640
Why is that? And what might God be inviting us
00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:55.960
into when we learn to say yes? Psychologists
00:00:55.960 --> 00:00:59.000
at Stanford University found that people often
00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:02.939
assume Asking for help will burden others, but
00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:06.819
in reality the helpers reported feeling honored,
00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:12.599
useful, and more connected. I want us to pause
00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:15.659
and let that sink in. When you say yes to help,
00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:20.299
you're not only lightening your own load, you're
00:01:20.299 --> 00:01:23.340
really giving someone else the gift of purpose
00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:27.409
and connection. This hesitation is especially
00:01:27.409 --> 00:01:31.090
common in the United States where independence
00:01:31.090 --> 00:01:35.150
is deeply valued You know from childhood many
00:01:35.150 --> 00:01:37.890
of us are taught that strength means handling
00:01:37.890 --> 00:01:41.790
problems by ourselves And that mindset really
00:01:41.790 --> 00:01:45.010
has roots in the beginnings of America in that
00:01:45.010 --> 00:01:48.609
pioneer culture when Survival often depended
00:01:48.609 --> 00:01:51.810
on self -reliance and over time families through
00:01:51.810 --> 00:01:54.500
generations and generations have this learned
00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:59.019
behavior, but it really can disconnect rather
00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:02.180
than connecting us with other people, which goes
00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:05.359
against God's community design. And in other
00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:08.919
cultures, receiving help is more natural. And
00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:11.939
in Japan, for example, nowadays support from
00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:15.819
family and community is expected. It's seen as
00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:20.590
a way of honoring relationships. In many Hispanic
00:02:20.590 --> 00:02:22.909
cultures it's the same. Extended families live
00:02:22.909 --> 00:02:26.469
together. And see that shows us that receiving
00:02:26.469 --> 00:02:33.490
help from relatives and friends really is a learned
00:02:33.490 --> 00:02:36.449
behavior and so is not receiving help. But the
00:02:36.449 --> 00:02:41.969
learned habit of receiving help is healthy and
00:02:41.969 --> 00:02:45.409
it shouldn't be seen as a weakness. God designed
00:02:45.409 --> 00:02:49.120
us for close supportive relationships. not for
00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:54.240
isolation. Proverbs 11 2 reminds us, when pride
00:02:54.240 --> 00:02:58.780
comes, then comes disgrace. But with humility
00:02:58.780 --> 00:03:03.460
comes wisdom. So humility opens the door to receiving
00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:08.639
help and allows both a giver and a receiver to
00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:12.879
be part of God's plan. Whereas pride might whisper
00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:16.580
to you, you should handle this yourself. Don't
00:03:16.580 --> 00:03:21.539
be weak. Sometimes that pride shows up as perfectionism.
00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:26.419
I'm an expert in that area, in fact. It's the
00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:29.199
belief that no one else can do it right, or as
00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:32.439
well as you can, or that asking for help means
00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:35.120
lowering your standards in the way they'll do
00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:38.120
it versus the way you can do it. And so perfectionism
00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:42.840
can quietly isolate us because it really values
00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:48.849
control over connection. But when we're humble
00:03:48.849 --> 00:03:54.669
it invites collaboration and grace The Bible
00:03:54.669 --> 00:03:58.629
is full of examples in Galatians 6 to the Bible
00:03:58.629 --> 00:04:03.629
says Carry each other's burdens and in this way
00:04:03.629 --> 00:04:07.889
you will fulfill the law of Christ So when we
00:04:07.889 --> 00:04:12.009
accept help We allow someone else to live out
00:04:12.009 --> 00:04:16.959
God's command to love and serve But I want you
00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:21.300
to note something here. If you go on to Galatians
00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:25.860
6 -5, the Bible says each one should carry their
00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:29.759
own load. Well, what gives with that? I thought
00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:31.680
we were supposed to carry each other's burdens.
00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:35.959
Well, here Paul is teaching balance. And in fact,
00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:40.000
we all have responsibilities that we must maintain
00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:43.660
in our lives. But there are moments when life
00:04:43.660 --> 00:04:46.930
is a little heavier. then we can carry alone.
00:04:48.189 --> 00:04:51.410
And God designed us for personal responsibility,
00:04:52.110 --> 00:04:58.089
but also community support. Ecclesiastes 4 verses
00:04:58.089 --> 00:05:02.970
9 and 10 say, two are better than one. If either
00:05:02.970 --> 00:05:05.970
of them falls down, one can help the other up.
00:05:06.649 --> 00:05:11.310
And Romans 12 .5 adds, in Christ we, though many,
00:05:11.709 --> 00:05:15.939
form one body. and each member belongs to all
00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:19.560
the others." And so I think about these verses,
00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:25.019
and then I think of Moses in battle, when Aaron
00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:28.439
and her held up his arms so Israel could prevail.
00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:32.500
In the middle of a battle, the leader is getting
00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:35.319
help from those around him, or maybe it's the
00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:38.060
paralytic that was lowered through the roof to
00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:41.980
reach Jesus. You know, these examples show us
00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:46.060
that receiving Help allows others to participate
00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:50.339
in God's work, whatever that looks like for you.
00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:55.360
I want you to reflect for a moment who in your
00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:58.240
life might be waiting for the chance to serve
00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:02.779
and how could allowing them to help you be part
00:06:02.779 --> 00:06:06.360
of God's plan. Maybe we should stop and pray
00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:11.579
about that from time to time. Accepting help
00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:14.939
also strengthens our mental and emotional health.
00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:19.459
It signals that we are safe with others and allows
00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:25.120
us to rest from constant self -reliance. Refusing
00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:29.759
help can reinforce isolation and really stress.
00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:35.980
2nd Corinthians 8 verses 13 through 15 teaches
00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:41.139
that sharing resources balances needs over time.
00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:45.680
it the Bible says your plenty will supply what
00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:49.920
they need so that in turn their plenty will supply
00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:55.620
what you need. When we both give and receive
00:06:55.620 --> 00:07:00.800
we can create this healthy independence. No,
00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:03.740
that's not right. It's a healthy inner dependence.
00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:07.019
There's the difference. And that strengthens
00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:11.540
relationships. You know life does have this rhythm.
00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:16.759
Sometimes you're in need and sometimes you have
00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:20.839
need. Sometimes we give and sometimes we receive
00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:25.259
and both are very meaningful and both honor God.
00:07:26.220 --> 00:07:29.439
Think about your whole life and how embracing
00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:33.740
giving and receiving could create stronger connections
00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:38.860
and healthier relationships. Accepting help is
00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:43.620
really also a form of spiritual growth. It humbles
00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:47.680
us and reminds us that every act of kindness
00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:54.680
ultimately flows from God. Think of Elijah in
00:07:54.680 --> 00:08:01.420
the Bible and the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings
00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:06.360
chapter 17. God provided for both of them through
00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:12.759
her generosity. think of Jesus and he himself
00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:17.500
received help from the woman who followed him,
00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:23.860
from Mary who anointed his feet, and from Simon
00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:29.779
of Cyrene who carried his cross, even from John
00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:35.899
who baptized him. So if Jesus could receive help,
00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:41.750
so can we. refusing help can sometimes reflect
00:08:41.750 --> 00:08:46.690
pride and receiving help is an act of trust.
00:08:47.830 --> 00:08:50.590
In a spiritual way it acknowledges that God can
00:08:50.590 --> 00:08:54.710
meet our needs through the people he places around
00:08:54.710 --> 00:08:59.110
us. So how do we even begin if we're not used
00:08:59.110 --> 00:09:02.409
to receiving help? I want you to start with awareness.
00:09:02.769 --> 00:09:05.289
Notice your reactions when someone offers you
00:09:05.289 --> 00:09:08.789
assistance. Do you immediately say, I'm fine?
00:09:09.870 --> 00:09:13.789
Do you feel uncomfortable? Observing these reactions
00:09:13.789 --> 00:09:18.690
can reveal pride, fear, even your perfectionism,
00:09:18.950 --> 00:09:22.250
or habit. It doesn't matter. But I want you to
00:09:22.250 --> 00:09:25.690
practice gratitude. Saying thank you affirms
00:09:25.690 --> 00:09:29.710
that the giver's effort is important to you and
00:09:29.710 --> 00:09:32.929
it really can strengthen the bond between the
00:09:32.929 --> 00:09:37.860
two of you. I did another episode gratitude,
00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:41.940
and I think being thankful for what God provides
00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:46.299
and what others do for you is a sign of spiritual
00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:50.720
growth and spiritual maturity. And finally, I
00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:55.879
want you to see that receiving help is a way
00:09:55.879 --> 00:10:01.179
to reflect Christ. He gave and He received throughout
00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:05.480
His life. Accepting this support with openness
00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:10.820
and gratitude, it models that interdependence
00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:13.240
and grace. So here's your challenge for this
00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:17.960
week. When someone offers to help, I want you
00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:20.899
to pause before saying no. I want you to try
00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:25.799
to say yes, even if it feels uncomfortable. And
00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:29.039
I want you to see how God meets you in that moment.
00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:34.519
Let's pray. God thank you for the people in our
00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:39.159
lives Who care and support us we know that you
00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:43.600
provided them to us help us to accept help with
00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:49.080
gratitude and humility Show us how receiving
00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:56.440
Is not just a blessing for us But a blessing
00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:59.940
for the giver of that help just as when we give
00:11:00.809 --> 00:11:07.090
we feel so filled. Lord, we thank you for the
00:11:07.090 --> 00:11:10.330
models that we've been given in the Bible. We
00:11:10.330 --> 00:11:14.330
thank you for Jesus and the fact that ultimately
00:11:14.330 --> 00:11:19.169
he's the perfect helper that helped us to get
00:11:19.169 --> 00:11:23.669
out of our sin situation for those that believe
00:11:23.669 --> 00:11:27.830
and receive his truth. But Lord, at the same
00:11:27.830 --> 00:11:34.990
time, the fact that When Jesus was on earth,
00:11:35.950 --> 00:11:40.029
he did have people around him that he allowed
00:11:40.029 --> 00:11:44.809
to help him. So Lord, as we think about this
00:11:44.809 --> 00:11:48.950
topic, we can oversimplify it, and we can overcomplicate
00:11:48.950 --> 00:11:52.289
it, but somewhere in the middle is the truth
00:11:52.289 --> 00:11:57.509
that you want us to have, and that is that we
00:11:57.509 --> 00:12:02.000
can help, but we need to accept help. It's part
00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:06.960
of being in the body of Christ. Lord, just work
00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:11.519
in our hearts this week on any pride, perfectionism,
00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:18.179
fear, or hesitancy in receiving help. We pray
00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:23.440
these things in Jesus' name. Amen. So I would
00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:26.220
like to thank you for joining me today. If this
00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:30.840
episode resonates with you or someone that you've
00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:33.679
talked to recently that says, I have a hard time
00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:37.720
asking for help, share the episode. Share the
00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:39.440
encouragement that you learned from the episode.
00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:43.019
I would love for you to continue to spread the
00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:48.159
word of Mind and Faith Matters to help get God's
00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:51.960
help in the mental health and faith growth categories
00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:55.120
out there. It's not about my numbers. It's not
00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:59.000
about my voice being heard. It's really about
00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:04.230
the... truth of Scripture being spread and encouragement
00:13:04.230 --> 00:13:07.529
for others. And I do want you to know that I
00:13:07.529 --> 00:13:10.830
read every comment that I receive from the episodes.
00:13:11.629 --> 00:13:15.309
And it was so special to me even today that an
00:13:15.309 --> 00:13:20.769
episode I did 22 weeks ago, someone had listened
00:13:20.769 --> 00:13:23.990
to it and made an impact in their life. It helped
00:13:23.990 --> 00:13:27.490
them to understand their situation. And that
00:13:27.490 --> 00:13:33.940
encouragement to me often is a help to keep me
00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:38.460
going and so even spreading that encouragement
00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:43.720
and that appreciation can be a form of helping
00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:47.379
others but accept it when people want to help
00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.860
you with that same encouragement. This week I
00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:52.279
want you to think through these things, challenge
00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:56.299
yourself, pray on this and we'll see you next
00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.580
week. God bless.
00:00:05.409 --> 00:00:07.589
Thanks for joining me today on the Mind of Faith
00:00:07.589 --> 00:00:11.230
Matters podcast. I'm Dr. Cory Potter. So let
00:00:11.230 --> 00:00:13.570
me first say this, that I've gotten better with
00:00:13.570 --> 00:00:16.530
this topic over time just with practice, and
00:00:16.530 --> 00:00:20.030
that is accepting help. But I'd like to start
00:00:20.030 --> 00:00:23.989
with a picture. Imagine that a friend offers
00:00:23.989 --> 00:00:27.429
to carry your groceries in for you, or maybe
00:00:27.429 --> 00:00:29.969
a neighbor says, I can watch the kids for an
00:00:29.969 --> 00:00:33.659
hour. What is your first instinct? Many of us
00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:37.979
politely smile and say, I'm fine. Even when we
00:00:37.979 --> 00:00:40.740
really could use that help and we're not fine.
00:00:42.020 --> 00:00:44.420
We love helping others, but when it comes to
00:00:44.420 --> 00:00:47.659
receiving help, something inside us resists.
00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:51.640
Why is that? And what might God be inviting us
00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:55.960
into when we learn to say yes? Psychologists
00:00:55.960 --> 00:00:59.000
at Stanford University found that people often
00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:02.939
assume Asking for help will burden others, but
00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:06.819
in reality the helpers reported feeling honored,
00:01:07.180 --> 00:01:12.599
useful, and more connected. I want us to pause
00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:15.659
and let that sink in. When you say yes to help,
00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:20.299
you're not only lightening your own load, you're
00:01:20.299 --> 00:01:23.340
really giving someone else the gift of purpose
00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:27.409
and connection. This hesitation is especially
00:01:27.409 --> 00:01:31.090
common in the United States where independence
00:01:31.090 --> 00:01:35.150
is deeply valued You know from childhood many
00:01:35.150 --> 00:01:37.890
of us are taught that strength means handling
00:01:37.890 --> 00:01:41.790
problems by ourselves And that mindset really
00:01:41.790 --> 00:01:45.010
has roots in the beginnings of America in that
00:01:45.010 --> 00:01:48.609
pioneer culture when Survival often depended
00:01:48.609 --> 00:01:51.810
on self -reliance and over time families through
00:01:51.810 --> 00:01:54.500
generations and generations have this learned
00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:59.019
behavior, but it really can disconnect rather
00:01:59.019 --> 00:02:02.180
than connecting us with other people, which goes
00:02:02.180 --> 00:02:05.359
against God's community design. And in other
00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:08.919
cultures, receiving help is more natural. And
00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:11.939
in Japan, for example, nowadays support from
00:02:11.939 --> 00:02:15.819
family and community is expected. It's seen as
00:02:15.819 --> 00:02:20.590
a way of honoring relationships. In many Hispanic
00:02:20.590 --> 00:02:22.909
cultures it's the same. Extended families live
00:02:22.909 --> 00:02:26.469
together. And see that shows us that receiving
00:02:26.469 --> 00:02:33.490
help from relatives and friends really is a learned
00:02:33.490 --> 00:02:36.449
behavior and so is not receiving help. But the
00:02:36.449 --> 00:02:41.969
learned habit of receiving help is healthy and
00:02:41.969 --> 00:02:45.409
it shouldn't be seen as a weakness. God designed
00:02:45.409 --> 00:02:49.120
us for close supportive relationships. not for
00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:54.240
isolation. Proverbs 11 2 reminds us, when pride
00:02:54.240 --> 00:02:58.780
comes, then comes disgrace. But with humility
00:02:58.780 --> 00:03:03.460
comes wisdom. So humility opens the door to receiving
00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:08.639
help and allows both a giver and a receiver to
00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:12.879
be part of God's plan. Whereas pride might whisper
00:03:12.879 --> 00:03:16.580
to you, you should handle this yourself. Don't
00:03:16.580 --> 00:03:21.539
be weak. Sometimes that pride shows up as perfectionism.
00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:26.419
I'm an expert in that area, in fact. It's the
00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:29.199
belief that no one else can do it right, or as
00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:32.439
well as you can, or that asking for help means
00:03:32.439 --> 00:03:35.120
lowering your standards in the way they'll do
00:03:35.120 --> 00:03:38.120
it versus the way you can do it. And so perfectionism
00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:42.840
can quietly isolate us because it really values
00:03:42.840 --> 00:03:48.849
control over connection. But when we're humble
00:03:48.849 --> 00:03:54.669
it invites collaboration and grace The Bible
00:03:54.669 --> 00:03:58.629
is full of examples in Galatians 6 to the Bible
00:03:58.629 --> 00:04:03.629
says Carry each other's burdens and in this way
00:04:03.629 --> 00:04:07.889
you will fulfill the law of Christ So when we
00:04:07.889 --> 00:04:12.009
accept help We allow someone else to live out
00:04:12.009 --> 00:04:16.959
God's command to love and serve But I want you
00:04:16.959 --> 00:04:21.300
to note something here. If you go on to Galatians
00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:25.860
6 -5, the Bible says each one should carry their
00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:29.759
own load. Well, what gives with that? I thought
00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:31.680
we were supposed to carry each other's burdens.
00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:35.959
Well, here Paul is teaching balance. And in fact,
00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:40.000
we all have responsibilities that we must maintain
00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:43.660
in our lives. But there are moments when life
00:04:43.660 --> 00:04:46.930
is a little heavier. then we can carry alone.
00:04:48.189 --> 00:04:51.410
And God designed us for personal responsibility,
00:04:52.110 --> 00:04:58.089
but also community support. Ecclesiastes 4 verses
00:04:58.089 --> 00:05:02.970
9 and 10 say, two are better than one. If either
00:05:02.970 --> 00:05:05.970
of them falls down, one can help the other up.
00:05:06.649 --> 00:05:11.310
And Romans 12 .5 adds, in Christ we, though many,
00:05:11.709 --> 00:05:15.939
form one body. and each member belongs to all
00:05:15.939 --> 00:05:19.560
the others." And so I think about these verses,
00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:25.019
and then I think of Moses in battle, when Aaron
00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:28.439
and her held up his arms so Israel could prevail.
00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:32.500
In the middle of a battle, the leader is getting
00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:35.319
help from those around him, or maybe it's the
00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:38.060
paralytic that was lowered through the roof to
00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:41.980
reach Jesus. You know, these examples show us
00:05:41.980 --> 00:05:46.060
that receiving Help allows others to participate
00:05:46.060 --> 00:05:50.339
in God's work, whatever that looks like for you.
00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:55.360
I want you to reflect for a moment who in your
00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:58.240
life might be waiting for the chance to serve
00:05:58.240 --> 00:06:02.779
and how could allowing them to help you be part
00:06:02.779 --> 00:06:06.360
of God's plan. Maybe we should stop and pray
00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:11.579
about that from time to time. Accepting help
00:06:11.579 --> 00:06:14.939
also strengthens our mental and emotional health.
00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:19.459
It signals that we are safe with others and allows
00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:25.120
us to rest from constant self -reliance. Refusing
00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:29.759
help can reinforce isolation and really stress.
00:06:31.160 --> 00:06:35.980
2nd Corinthians 8 verses 13 through 15 teaches
00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:41.139
that sharing resources balances needs over time.
00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:45.680
it the Bible says your plenty will supply what
00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:49.920
they need so that in turn their plenty will supply
00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:55.620
what you need. When we both give and receive
00:06:55.620 --> 00:07:00.800
we can create this healthy independence. No,
00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:03.740
that's not right. It's a healthy inner dependence.
00:07:04.079 --> 00:07:07.019
There's the difference. And that strengthens
00:07:07.019 --> 00:07:11.540
relationships. You know life does have this rhythm.
00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:16.759
Sometimes you're in need and sometimes you have
00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:20.839
need. Sometimes we give and sometimes we receive
00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:25.259
and both are very meaningful and both honor God.
00:07:26.220 --> 00:07:29.439
Think about your whole life and how embracing
00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:33.740
giving and receiving could create stronger connections
00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:38.860
and healthier relationships. Accepting help is
00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:43.620
really also a form of spiritual growth. It humbles
00:07:43.620 --> 00:07:47.680
us and reminds us that every act of kindness
00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:54.680
ultimately flows from God. Think of Elijah in
00:07:54.680 --> 00:08:01.420
the Bible and the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings
00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:06.360
chapter 17. God provided for both of them through
00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:12.759
her generosity. think of Jesus and he himself
00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:17.500
received help from the woman who followed him,
00:08:17.720 --> 00:08:23.860
from Mary who anointed his feet, and from Simon
00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:29.779
of Cyrene who carried his cross, even from John
00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:35.899
who baptized him. So if Jesus could receive help,
00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:41.750
so can we. refusing help can sometimes reflect
00:08:41.750 --> 00:08:46.690
pride and receiving help is an act of trust.
00:08:47.830 --> 00:08:50.590
In a spiritual way it acknowledges that God can
00:08:50.590 --> 00:08:54.710
meet our needs through the people he places around
00:08:54.710 --> 00:08:59.110
us. So how do we even begin if we're not used
00:08:59.110 --> 00:09:02.409
to receiving help? I want you to start with awareness.
00:09:02.769 --> 00:09:05.289
Notice your reactions when someone offers you
00:09:05.289 --> 00:09:08.789
assistance. Do you immediately say, I'm fine?
00:09:09.870 --> 00:09:13.789
Do you feel uncomfortable? Observing these reactions
00:09:13.789 --> 00:09:18.690
can reveal pride, fear, even your perfectionism,
00:09:18.950 --> 00:09:22.250
or habit. It doesn't matter. But I want you to
00:09:22.250 --> 00:09:25.690
practice gratitude. Saying thank you affirms
00:09:25.690 --> 00:09:29.710
that the giver's effort is important to you and
00:09:29.710 --> 00:09:32.929
it really can strengthen the bond between the
00:09:32.929 --> 00:09:37.860
two of you. I did another episode gratitude,
00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:41.940
and I think being thankful for what God provides
00:09:41.940 --> 00:09:46.299
and what others do for you is a sign of spiritual
00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:50.720
growth and spiritual maturity. And finally, I
00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:55.879
want you to see that receiving help is a way
00:09:55.879 --> 00:10:01.179
to reflect Christ. He gave and He received throughout
00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:05.480
His life. Accepting this support with openness
00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:10.820
and gratitude, it models that interdependence
00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:13.240
and grace. So here's your challenge for this
00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:17.960
week. When someone offers to help, I want you
00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:20.899
to pause before saying no. I want you to try
00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:25.799
to say yes, even if it feels uncomfortable. And
00:10:25.799 --> 00:10:29.039
I want you to see how God meets you in that moment.
00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:34.519
Let's pray. God thank you for the people in our
00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:39.159
lives Who care and support us we know that you
00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:43.600
provided them to us help us to accept help with
00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:49.080
gratitude and humility Show us how receiving
00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:56.440
Is not just a blessing for us But a blessing
00:10:56.440 --> 00:10:59.940
for the giver of that help just as when we give
00:11:00.809 --> 00:11:07.090
we feel so filled. Lord, we thank you for the
00:11:07.090 --> 00:11:10.330
models that we've been given in the Bible. We
00:11:10.330 --> 00:11:14.330
thank you for Jesus and the fact that ultimately
00:11:14.330 --> 00:11:19.169
he's the perfect helper that helped us to get
00:11:19.169 --> 00:11:23.669
out of our sin situation for those that believe
00:11:23.669 --> 00:11:27.830
and receive his truth. But Lord, at the same
00:11:27.830 --> 00:11:34.990
time, the fact that When Jesus was on earth,
00:11:35.950 --> 00:11:40.029
he did have people around him that he allowed
00:11:40.029 --> 00:11:44.809
to help him. So Lord, as we think about this
00:11:44.809 --> 00:11:48.950
topic, we can oversimplify it, and we can overcomplicate
00:11:48.950 --> 00:11:52.289
it, but somewhere in the middle is the truth
00:11:52.289 --> 00:11:57.509
that you want us to have, and that is that we
00:11:57.509 --> 00:12:02.000
can help, but we need to accept help. It's part
00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:06.960
of being in the body of Christ. Lord, just work
00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:11.519
in our hearts this week on any pride, perfectionism,
00:12:12.200 --> 00:12:18.179
fear, or hesitancy in receiving help. We pray
00:12:18.179 --> 00:12:23.440
these things in Jesus' name. Amen. So I would
00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:26.220
like to thank you for joining me today. If this
00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:30.840
episode resonates with you or someone that you've
00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:33.679
talked to recently that says, I have a hard time
00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:37.720
asking for help, share the episode. Share the
00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:39.440
encouragement that you learned from the episode.
00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:43.019
I would love for you to continue to spread the
00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:48.159
word of Mind and Faith Matters to help get God's
00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:51.960
help in the mental health and faith growth categories
00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:55.120
out there. It's not about my numbers. It's not
00:12:55.120 --> 00:12:59.000
about my voice being heard. It's really about
00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:04.230
the... truth of Scripture being spread and encouragement
00:13:04.230 --> 00:13:07.529
for others. And I do want you to know that I
00:13:07.529 --> 00:13:10.830
read every comment that I receive from the episodes.
00:13:11.629 --> 00:13:15.309
And it was so special to me even today that an
00:13:15.309 --> 00:13:20.769
episode I did 22 weeks ago, someone had listened
00:13:20.769 --> 00:13:23.990
to it and made an impact in their life. It helped
00:13:23.990 --> 00:13:27.490
them to understand their situation. And that
00:13:27.490 --> 00:13:33.940
encouragement to me often is a help to keep me
00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:38.460
going and so even spreading that encouragement
00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:43.720
and that appreciation can be a form of helping
00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:47.379
others but accept it when people want to help
00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.860
you with that same encouragement. This week I
00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:52.279
want you to think through these things, challenge
00:13:52.279 --> 00:13:56.299
yourself, pray on this and we'll see you next
00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:57.580
week. God bless.