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Grateful for Help

Read: Exodus 17:8-16

Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (v. 12)

For years I found it very hard to ask for help. My elevated expectation of what I could or should achieve on my own often prevented me from allowing someone else to come alongside me in a time of need. What resulted was feelings of frustration, undue stress, and even loneliness as daunting tasks loomed in front of me.

Call it years of experience, or wisdom with age, but I now know the great benefit of sharing my burdens and letting someone else speak into a situation where I need support. In fact, this level of vulnerability has helped strengthen relationships, grow trust, and allowed me to celebrate others’ gifts.

So what if Moses had pushed aside Aaron and Hur in his hour of need? Moses, called by God to lead his people out of Egypt, could have let his humanity get the best of him, and maybe earlier in his life he would have. However, after 40 years of endless wandering, Moses was wise enough to know he needed help. As Moses’s arms were supported, God was glorified, and the Israelites prevailed.

Do you allow yourself to receive help? Are you willing to let others use their God-given gifts to bless you? It’s important to do so. As Ecclesiastes 4:9 reminds us, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor” (NIV).

As you pray, give thanks for the helpers in your life.

About the Author

Joy Petroelje serves as the grants manager for a faith-based international nonprofit organization. Aside from work, she enjoys family time, coffee or dinner with friends, writing, reading, and running.

This entry is part 11 of 15 in the series A Guide to Gratitude
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