There’s a sense of accomplishment that comes when we’re able to do things on our own. And this is part of our maturity. But this doesn’t mean we never need help. And help is best seen as a point of humility rather than humiliation.
To be sure, no one looks down on young kids for needing help. They’re still immature and learning how to do things. And there is a healthy level of shame present when adults still live as immature kids – never growing in responsibility and always looking for handouts or otherwise just being lazy.
But it’s a mistake to assume receiving help is just for those who are immature or irresponsible in life. God alone is self-sufficient. We, like members of a body, need each other. Our hands, feet, eyes, and the like must all humbly serve each other – each receiving “help” in various ways. And we too must allow ourselves to receive such help.
Humiliation often exposes issues of pride. On the one hand, we believe we shouldn’t need help. And so our pride takes a hit when we have to receive it. The shame and embarrassment we experience is of our own making because we’ve not yet learned how to humbly receive others serving us in love.
At the same time, humiliation may be the result of what others project on to us. In their pride they’re looking down on us for needing help. And while certainly this stings, this remains a heart issue on their side. For our part, we don’t have to receive their condemnation when we’re living by faith. And we must not let their pride fuel our own – living in fear of humiliation rather than in love and humility.
In the end, be responsible for all that God has called you to do. And remember receiving help is an opportunity to serve each other in love. It’s a point of humility, not humiliation.
Photo by Joycoast Wood Watches & Sunglasses on Unsplash
