I Need Help

Have you ever said this out loud to another person? Have you ever looked at someone in the eye and said, “ I need help.” I’m not talking about those times we need someone to help carry groceries or open the door, I’m talking about those times when we are face to face with the reality that we don’t have it all together, we can’t do it alone.

It’s pretty vulnerable to look at another person and admit we need help, not only is it a sign of vulnerability but an admittance of our human limitations. Yet, I believe, that in that moment, when we say those words out loud, it’s a heroic moment, a moment of true courage, strength, and healing. 

But why do we avoid this? Why do some of us prefer to stay silent or isolate ourselves rather than allow another person to enter into that place? Is it because we feel like a burden? Maybe. Is it because we’re stubborn? Possibly. Or is it because we fear rejection? Do we struggle to admit we need help because if God forbid someone realized we were human rather than superman, then maybe they’ll see us as inferior or small?  

Man, what lies. We live in a culture today that bombards us with messages and ideas that if we want to make it in the world, if we want success and happiness, than we need to make it on our own and trust no one. Like what! We are communional beings, wired for relationship; we need one another. 

Now, I want to acknowledge that some of us have been hurt in the past when we have invited someone into this place of vulnerability. We weren’t received well and were left more broken and wounded. If that’s you, I want to say that I’m sorry, you didn’t deserve that. I also want to encourage you, us, not to close ourselves off, but rather to invite the Lord in and to look to Him as our example of what it means to be vulnerable.

When Jesus was most vulnerable, was he alone? No, in Jesus’ most vulnerable moment,  He was not alone. He didn’t endure Calvary alone. His mother, Mary, was right there with him, every step of the way.  We aren’t called to endure hardship, suffering, our human limitations alone, we are called to be vulnerable. 

I remember during my first year of mission when I was at my most vulnerable. I remember sitting across from my teammate, tears streaming down my face, silently uttering the words “I need help,” as I proceeded to tell her what was wrong. You know what happened next? My teammate not only received and met me where I was at, but looked me in the eyes and affirmed me. She walked with me. 

It was one of the most profound moments of my life. It was in that moment when I was given the strength, the courage, to let go and let God. It all started with one phrase, “ I need help.” It wasn’t like after that moment everything was all butterflies and rainbows, it was still hard, but I had allowed someone to enter into that space, to carry some of the load, which made it all easier. 

I want to leave us with 3 practical ways we can be vulnerable, we can push past the lies and rely on one another.

1.  Face the reality that vulnerability is hard. It’s hard; but so worth it. To be vulnerable is to be woundable. But to be vulnerable is to love. Allow yourself to be vulnerable, to be seen, you are worth it. 
2. Surround yourself with Virtuous friends. It’s so much easier to practice vulnerability when our friends are those striving to live out a life with Christ; friends who seek to be more like Jesus. 
3. Adoration. Visit Christ in his most vulnerable; invite Christ in. We can have the best friends, we can live in the reality that vulnerability is hard, but if we don’t look to Christ as our model, if we don’t invite Him in, then we will never truly experience the strength, courage and healing that vulnerability can bring. 

Will you find the courage to say “ I need help?”