When I am down or stressed, perplexed or in trouble, I generally go to God or God’s people. But I recall when I only went to God.
I felt like that going only to God and keeping my situation private was a sign of maturity. I’d pray. Listen to a worship CD. Read scripture. Read a book. Listen to sermon… shuffle and repeat.
I likely felt embarrassed about sharing my little problems with others. I thought, ‘who really wants to deal with another’s issues, when they have enough problems of their own?’
But in the past few years, I’ve started to lean more and more on my friends. And what I believe now is that, being able to share my stuff with trusted friends and mentors is a great sign of maturity. Plus, the sooner I call out for help the better and quicker I get it.
It also displays humility which activates God’s involvement.
After years of sharing, confessing and praying with the same friends, I’ve grown to trust them, and feel safe knowing that when I have a situation in need of emotional or spiritual assistance — they will always be there.
Today, I just felt the need to share this and to pose the question – what do you do?
Not everyone has friends they trust and that’s unfortunate. Not everyone believes in God or at least relate to him as a loving Father willing to be involved with their life in a practical or tangible way. This too is unfortunate.
Life has too much drama and uncertainty to reject God or pridefully keep every situation to yourself… We all need help in multiple levels.
Make your pick — God or God’s People. But in the end, choose both.