Don't be afraid to ask others for help

"When the hands of Moses became heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other ..."

- Exodus 17:12 (NIV)

Have you ever needed help but were afraid to ask? There's many reasons we don't want to ask for help when we need it.

Oftentimes, we're concerned we may be a burden to someone else; we realize they already have an overwhelming workload and we don't want to add to it.

Other times, pride can be a deterrent to reaching out to another for aid because we like being self-sufficient. That's understandable. We feel confident when we are doing well and able to meet our own needs. It makes us feel successful.

Being unwilling to ask for help doesn't prove anything to anyone if our needs go unmet because we are embarrassed or stubborn, or our shyness holds us back from being able to approach an individual or agency.

I felt the need to share this because it's a lesson I had to learn. I have always enjoyed helping others. But over the years, when unexpected changes left me in a needy position, I had to ask a few relatives and friends for help.

Sometimes it was because I was sick and couldn't do things for myself. Other times, due to unexpected financial hardships, as I worked to get back on my feet, I didn't have the means to help myself. And, as I get older, I can't always do everything I could in my younger years, so I need a little help from others.

Like many of you, I never expected to be in any of those places. But I got back on my feet because I asked for help.

One of my favorite Bible examples comes from a story about Moses. Moses was considered a powerful man. At one time, he was a prince of Egypt, who then rose to fame as God picked him to be a leader to millions of people.

But like most of us, Moses was human. From time to time, he felt discouraged, exhausted and in need of help. When Moses was in a battle, he grew weak and tired. He was the leader, what was he to do? God instructed him to have two of his closest companions help him. When they came alongside of Moses, they gave him a stone to sit on, and held up his hands. With this help, Moses grew stronger and his army won the battle.

I think God gave us that example to show us we can't always win our battles alone. We need others.

A few years ago, I wrote a different article about asking for help. I was contacted by a reader who had been exhausted trying to get some help. She was excited to share with me, because after reading the article, she found the strength to give it one more try and found her help.

I can't guarantee your request for help will always be met without resistance. Some may even ridicule or judge you for your situation or the fact you even asked them for help. You may even search for a while to find appropriate help. But don't go down in the battle without at least asking.

Keep in mind, you don't have to feel helpless because you ask someone. But you don't want to overdo it, either.

Don't feel alone in the crises. Many people are going through hard times they never expected or experienced before, including some who you would surprise you.

It's my prayer you get the help you need. In frightening times, even a little help can bring some hope and feel like a relief. And when you get back on your feet, maybe God will use you to be a blessing to someone who needs a helping hand.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.