Sometimes we are strong, independent, and able to cope with whatever comes our way.  And there are times when the chips are down.  Times when our strength isn’t enough.  When our health lets us down, circumstances become overwhelming, or we find ourselves needing someone else to help us through the day.  For many of us, that can be difficult.

We live in a culture that often celebrates independence.  We are encouraged to stand on our own two feet, sort ourselves out and not become a burden to anyone else.  There can even be a quiet shame attached to admitting, “I can’t manage this on my own”.

But perhaps God never intended us to do everything on our own.  The Bible speaks again and again about carrying one another’s burdens.  Paul writes:

“Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2.  Notice that it doesn’t say, “Make sure you never have any burdens”.  It says, “Carry each other’s burdens”.  And there is something profundly humbling about being on the receiving end.

When we need someone to drive us somewhere, make a meal, accompany us to an appointment, listen to us, pray with us, or simply sit beside us when we are frightened, we may feel that we have somehow lost our independence.  But needing someone isn’t a failure.  It is part of being human.  Jesus Himself accepted the care and companionship of others.  He allowed people to serve Him.  He received hospitality.  He wept with those who were grieving.  And on the road to the cross, Simon of Cyrene was compelled to help carry His cross.  Even Jesus did not walk that road entirely alone.

Perhaps, then, when our own lives become difficult, we should stop seeing dependence as something humiliating and start seeing it as an opportunity to experience the love of God through people.  Sometimes God’s answer to our prayer isn’t a sudden change in circumstances.  Sometimes His answer is a person.

1. A friend who phones.
2. A family member who turns up.
3. A neighbour who helps.
4. A church member who quietly says, “Don’t worry, I’ll come with you”.
5. A stranger who shows kindness at exactly the moment we need it.

And sometimes God’s answer is simply to accept that help. Because there is another side to carrying burdens.  One day, the person who is helping us may be the person who needs help themselves.  In the blink of an eye life can turn.  Today I may be the one holding someone else’s hand.  Tomorow I may be the one whose hand needs holding.  There is no shame in that.   The Christian life isn’t a competition about who can be the most self-sufficient.  It is a journey in which we learn to love God and one another.  So if you’re in a season where the chips are down, don’t be afraid to say, “I need some help”.  We are not and nor were we ever designed to walk alone.

Ultimately, our dependence on one another points us towards our dependence on God.  When our strength runs out, and it will, His does not.  When we don’t know what to do next, He is still there.  And when we carry everything ourselves, perhaps He is gently reminding us that we were never asked to. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12.9.

Sometimes faith isn’t standing tall.  Sometimes faith is admitting that we need someone to help us stand.  And perhaps that is not weakness at all.  Perhaps it is where grace begins.

God bless you.

Nick x.