Reaching Out the Arm of Faith

"Two are better than one, because together they can work more effectively.  If one of them falls down, the other can help them up...Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone.  A rope made of three cords is hard to break."  Ecclesiastes 4:9

Reading this verse a few things hit me.  Being alone, trying to do it all without others is lonely & at times debilitating.  However, as humans in a busy world, we don't want to bother or burden others.  However, when we reach out, we begin to realize that everyone has their own journey and that sometimes they just need to know they aren't alone also.

I used to struggle a lot with reaching out in times of need/distress.  I felt like everyone had their own life to live and didn't have time to listen.  In the past few years, through therapy, I have realized that surrounding yourself with a strong support system is so important to mental health.

So I'm cured right?

Umm....NO.  See if I know this in my head, why do I sometimes keep it to myself?  My counselor says is fear/shame.  I've always been a strong and capable.  So, why isn't it always easy?  My answer is because I don't listen to my tugging. 

In parenting, marriage, friendships, we must be authentic and equally dependent on one another in times of need.  I love the analogy of this verse about falling down and needing someone to help you get up.  Physically that's easy to picture.  But, do we all picture it mentally?  I know I haven't thought of it that way. 

The other part of this verse I see is based on faith.  While he says people......I believe there is some reference to our belief system.  I have a strong faith but little confidence in living my life aside him and letting him help in times of need.  When I struggle, I lock up.  I begin questioning him....why, what if....etc. 

Recently, I went to a women's retreat at church.  At the retreat, we picked coffee cups with various phrases on them.  Mine said Live in the Moment.  Let that soak in.  Live IN the moment.  Every moment, good & bad...we must live in it and learn from it.  We must let God in to help us beyond our own understanding.  He has a purpose for all of us and has known it before we were even born. 

I guess I've kind of babbled.  My overall point is don't live life alone.  Reach out in your faith and in your relationships.  We can't do it all by ourselves and it's not healthy to try.  So be it physical or mental, reach that arm out of the fall and be the arm reaching down to help.

Until next time....take care and God bless!