Rely on God’s Support Family
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Father, open my eyes to the truth of your word and the acceptance of these truths to what I decide and do, or say, today.
READ:
“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.”
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 11:14, 15:22 (NIV)
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)
REFLECT:
In the verses today we see the wisdom in seeking counsel….in asking for help. We often see this as admitting we are too weak or unwise to handle everything ourselves. True and true. We need counsel. There is wisdom in asking help from another. For years I was in the business of helping people with annual income tax preparation. Often the things simplest to me were confusing to others. When given the chance, I could help explain the tax laws and get them to an accurate filing. However, there were situations that I also needed the help of another specialist in the office. We are not equipped to handle all of life’s challenges and that is why God gives us community. When raising our kids, there were times when we were at wits end. Looking around, all the other parents were seemingly gliding through life with perfect kids. We felt alone and frustrated at times, embarrassed to ask for help. During some especially challenging high school years, I was meeting weekly with a group of Christian men. I never shared my struggles for fear of being seen as a bad parent, or a weak Christ-follower. One morning in study I just lost it. Pouring out my heart to these men I shared my struggle. To my surprise three other men were going through the same thing and what happened that morning was so supportive and unifying. This experience gave me the confidence to later seek some professional counsel when it was most critical.
APPLY:
Pathway Church has tremendous options for support and counsel as you go through the parenting jungle. There are home teams, children and youth ministries, Starting Point, trail guide support, counseling resources and much more right there at your disposal if you have the wisdom to ask or go online to search and connect. God promises “victory”, “success”, “good return” and “help up” in “many advisers”. If you are in need, reach out. If you have experience and are willing to help but not yet serving, then get connected and engage in serving. That is what the body of Christ is all about.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Father God, you are speaking to me today and I know that I need to be willing to follow the truth of your word and reach out. Give me courage and boldness to pray and follow your direction. I ask this all in the name of your blessed son and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
WORSHIP: