Do you ever have times when you need to do something, but you just cannot do it? Perhaps it’s a term paper or studying for a test. It might even be something that you believe God wants you to do, but everything within you is shouting, “I can’t do that!” Perhaps it’s because you do not believe you have the ability to accomplish the task at hand. Fear of failure or procrastination might be blocking you. What to do?
If you’re human like me, this has probably happened many times. May I share something that has helped me get the job done?
The first time I learned this was in graduate school. I was under the weather, not feeling well mentally or physically. All I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep until my health returned. Unfortunately it was the end of the semester and I had a large paper to write and exams to take. I distinctly remember sitting at my dining room table and laying my forehead down on the text book in front of me. I felt defeated even before I started. Ever feel that way? I had a bad case of the “I can’ts.” I couldn’t see any way that I would be feeling better instantly and the deadlines weren’t going to be moved back because of me. As a new Christian I did the only thing I knew to do – pray.
My prayer went something like this. “God, I feel awful. I can’t write this paper. I give up. I really need Your help. Please write this paper through me.” That was the gist of the prayer.
Although I probably spent a bit more time complaining about how terrible I felt at the time.
So the first step is: identify the problem
The second step is: pray and admit your need for God’s help. That’s the humility part.
The next act is one of faith and action. Open the book, pick up the pen – whatever will start the process. Trust that God has heard and is answering your prayer, even if you do not sense His presence. In my example, I sat up, picked up my pen and began to write from the materials I had gathered in front of me. Nothing earth shaking occurred. There were no thunder claps from heaven. I had committed the problem to God and then moved forward toward the goal.
The end result was winning a second place award for my paper (perhaps God wanted me to really, really remember this principle). When I saw what leaning and relying totally on the Lord could do, I began to see that He accomplish far more through me than I can do simply relying on my own talents or strengths. He took what was innately in me and expanded it to a higher level. He did through me what I was unable to do without Him.
There’s an expression, “God helps those who help themselves.” To expand on that concept, I would say that God co-labors with us when we humble ourselves, admit our weaknesses, and ask for His help.
In James 4:2a it says, “You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives….” That tells me that if I stayed up all night at a party and then expected God to bail me out with my assignment, it would be asking with wrong motives. When we honestly request help because we are in a situation that is out of our control, or beyond our capabilities, that’s asking with the right motives. If we try to do everything in our own strength, we get the credit. If we ask for God’s help, He gets the glory, not us. I truly believe that God wants us to bring all our problems to Him.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares upon the Lord and He will sustain you.
Knowing that God actually invites us to unload our problems at His feet and partner with Him helps make our burdens light.
Have you ever had a lab partner who expected you to do all the work, or done a school project with someone who didn’t pull their weight? Well, it’s just the opposite with God. He’s welcoming our troubles and concerns with open arms. Run to Him and He will meet you right where you are. He’ll do more with and for you than you could do alone.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
If you try it, I would love to know what happens!
