ENCOURAGED IN HEART

If someone asked me, “Do you need others Steph?” I’d instinctively reply, “Of course!” And then the Holy Spirit would get a vote, “Really Steph…REALLY?”

(Gulp.)

and gently continue, “is that why when challenges hit, you morph to preschooler mode, ‘I can do it all myself?’…cause you need others?“

(Double gulp.)

This past week has been a test bed of my will, or perhaps better put, my pride.  Pride is one of the most heinous sins – it’s what got angelic Lucifer to trade in his wings for a hotter residence located down south.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6b (NIV)

As I’m learning what humility looks like, I feel His grace surround me with His love put into action with loving arms, meals, childcare, prayers, encouraging notes/call.  In the words of James Brown, “I FEEL GOOD!” Grace feels good!

This week I had a huge breakthrough – I truly, for the first time in my life, admitted to myself that I needed others. (Not like it was a hidden secret to those around me!) Not only that, I’ve accepted help in various and diverse ways.   Know what else I had?  The first glimmer in MONTHS – a breakthrough in my plateau!  Don’t tell me mind-body-spirit aren’t connected, cause you’re going to talk to a dry, chipped nail Jersey hand!

It’s a fact Jack; the opposite of pride
is humility.  If I’m going to keep loosing the emotional weight, I’m gonna NEED to loose my pride and need
others.

Joyce Meyer  wrote it most clearly, “Remember, pride is a sin, and it is the culprit behind broken relationships.” (1)   My sinful pride has separated me from deeper relations with others and God.  That’s what sin  does – separates from love. Sin separates, love unites.

So what do you read on the need scale? Which category  most fits you?

1.     Do you need others?  (Do you communicate needs, listen to others’ needs and reciprocate accordingly?)

2.     Do you knead others? (Do you refuse to accept help because you can do it, “all by yourself?”  Kneading others patience and love by constant refusal to accept help?)

3.     Or somewhere in the balanced middle – you recognize the God-given gift of friendship and partake in a healthy reciprocity?

And my God will meet all your NEEDs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

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(1)    Meyer, Joyce. The Everyday Life Bible.  New York:  Warner Faith, 2006. p. 1925.