It has been over a year since the world turned upside down. This means it has been over a year since a lot of us have hugged a loved one in person or shared special times with those who matter most in our lives. Living away from immediate family or close friends can lead to a feeling of isolation. When you add work responsibilities and stress into the mix, life can start to feel pretty challenging. The monotonous schedule of each week combined with isolation is enough to quickly make you realize the importance of having support in the form of friendship, advisors or community in your life.
I recently called a trusted leader in tears because I was feeling frustrated and lonely. At first, I wasn’t going to call because reaching out felt like admitting a weakness. It was too vulnerable and uncomfortable to admit that I was lonely. Logically, I could make sense of why I felt this way so therefore, I figured I just needed to summon enough faith to “snap out of it.”
But as the tears continued to flow, I realized that I also needed encouragement from someone God had strategically placed in my life for such a time as this. I didn’t have to shoulder the experience on my own. Relying on someone wasn’t weak. It was actually one of the strongest things I could have done.
The enemy will whisper lies to keep you from seeking help or the support of your community. He will also give you a backward view of God’s word while conjuring up feelings of guilt or shame for seeking godly counsel in your time of need. He was twisting my emotions and trying to get me to react out of pride versus vulnerability.
When facing trials, vulnerability is not a bad thing. I’m not sure why some of us (i.e. me) take on the unnecessary burden of emitting strength when God has shown us that it’s in our weakness where we are made strong (2 Corinthians 12:9). There is no shame in crying or needing to lean on someone else during a difficult time. That is the purpose of community. Since the beginning of creation, we were never meant to tackle this life alone. Trying to do so impacts us and could put others at risk.
In Exodus chapter 17, we see a demonstration of this concept. Moses and the Israelites were facing a long-term enemy, Amalek. God had given Moses clear instruction which he shared with Joshua, the military leader at that time. Joshua was to choose men to fight against Amalek and Moses would station himself at the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand.
As the Israelites entered battle, they prevailed as long as Moses held the staff up. However, when the heaviness of holding the staff became too much and his hand began to lower, the Amalekites prevailed.
Aaron, Moses’ brother, and Hur, son of one of the other Israelite leaders, were on the hilltop with him. They recognized his struggle. So they took a stone and put it under him for him to sit on. They then held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other, to ensure the staff did not drop and Israel prevailed. They supported Moses until the battle was done and Israel had the victory.
It’s important to note: the power was not in Moses or his staff. These tools were merely representative of God’s power to encourage the troops to fight and remember what He had brought them through. Moses was still a man who needed support to carry out the task God had assigned to him.
Could God have supernaturally caused Moses to keep his arm up? Yes.
Could God have supernaturally caused the Israelites to win the battle without the demonstration of the staff? Yes.
Moses could have worn himself ragged by not accepting help as he tried to keep his arms up. However, he didn’t have to. All he had to do was accept the support that was there. He had to admit that he was getting weak and needed the strength of others. Had he refused the support of those around him, he possibly could have cost Israel the battle. His pride and refusal to rely on someone else could have cost him the lives of those he led.
I believe God used this particular example to remind me that we are better together. Even the best leaders, teachers, fathers, mothers and more need community to fulfill their God-given assignments. With life’s tests and trials, its long, winding roads, we need one another to help uplift, encourage and strategize against the enemy.
Could God have supernaturally lifted my spirits? Yes.
Could God have supernaturally wiped away my tears? Yes.
Instead, He used this as an opportunity to teach me what I am now sharing with you:
- You are not weak because you ask for help. It takes a wise, strong person to know when to lean on others.
- You are not weak because you had an emotional moment. Being aware of your emotions is wisdom because they will deceive you.
- You are not weak because you called on someone in your time of need. God cares about you so much that He will strategically place people in your life to ensure you don’t have to do it all alone.
The next time you are facing a difficult situation or challenged in your current circumstance, don’t try to bear the weight of it all. Be like Moses and accept the help assigned to you. You are not alone. Not only did God give you the great Helper, He placed people in your life to be His arms to hold you, ears to listen, hands to help and heart to show you love. It takes strength to admit your weaknesses.
Father, thank you for being our strength. Forgive us when we try to take on the burden instead of relying on You and the resources you provide in our life. Help us to remember that we need community and we do not have to do this alone. Thank you for seeing our individual situations and sending provision when we need them most. Amen.
Don’t forget to watch my YouTube video on this topic! Click here.
