Every individual will find themselves in situations where we need help and guidance. We are navigating life in seasons we haven’t travelled before, i.e., uncharted territory. We are lifelong students of life and its abundance of challenges.
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)
Our space changes and the people within our space change. We find ourselves in the grocery store trying to find that one last item for a new recipe and we are not sure exactly where it would be located, like green chilies. We have undertaken a new home-improvement project and we find ourselves trying to find which product or tool is needed to finish the job. Having to ask for directions is something we are all familiar with when we travel to places we have not been before. Because of our human nature, i.e. pride, we avoid asking for help. We are deceived into thinking it might reflect negatively on us; however, it is just the opposite. Asking for help so that we can do the best job possible with the best results is something to admire and it speaks of humility. James 4:10 (NLT): “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.”
We must admit that when we do ask for help, things get resolved much quicker and we actually accomplish what we set out to accomplish. Life also teaches us that “all” help and advice is not “good.” Parenting falls in the category of “things we need help with.” Just like the store clerk who was hired the day before can’t be expected to know how to point us in the right direction, good counsel comes from the process of parenting which has produced satisfactory results, not the perception or idea of parenting. A flippant comment on social media is not the place for help; however, sitting down with someone who has travelled before you the same ground you are travelling and has produced the results you would like is a place to seek guidance and help.
We will never be the parent we can be from a galloping horse. Needing help is nothing to be ashamed of. Not asking for help is something we often regret. We need help and counsel to affect the behavior and outcome of our children’s lives.
“The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.”
Psalm 37:30 (NLT)
Parenting is very challenging yet equally rewarding. It doesn’t come with its own instruction manual; however, the Bible is our life instruction manual. We need help in order to make proper application to parenting from the words of Scripture. Proverbs 20:18 (NLT): “Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.” Ask God and He will show you which path to take, yet He may use His own to help us know. Proverbs 27:9 (NLT) “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” Shame rarely produces positive steps in the right direction.
