What do you think of when you hear the word dependence? Weakness, needy, helpless? Paul David Tripp writes the following:
"We tend to hate weakness because we hate being dependent....The problem is that God did not create us for independent, self-sufficient living. He created us to be dependent on Him and on the human tools He places in our lives." The Everyday Gospel Bible, p. 1495.
Through many trials God has taught me to be dependent on Him. However, my problem comes in letting myself be dependent on those human tools He has put in my life. As I go through a six-week recovery from hand surgery, I am learning just how prideful I am when it comes to letting others help me. I'm right-handed, and the surgery was on my right hand.
My husband, Gene, loves to help me with anything! He wants to serve me, but I don't always graciously accept his help. I have had no choice but to accept his help these past three weeks since my surgery. God is teaching me how selfish it is to try to do things on my own when others want to assist me. I am taking away the blessing they receive by coming to my aid.
We as Americans, and especially Texans, are taught to be independent. How difficult it is to go against that! Slowly, I am learning to ask for help when I need it. I praise God for friends and family who have come alongside me these past three weeks with prayers, meals, and flowers. I thank God for Gene who has patiently dried my back after showers, tied my shoes, and carried heavy groceries for me.
May we all allow others to do for us what we cannot do in times of need. May we thank Jesus and the Holy Spirit for interceding for us when we feel weak and helpless. (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26-27). May we come to understand that our weakness causes us to depend on Christ and not ourselves. What a great blessing!
See you next week!
