Hello everyone!
I’ve been thinking about this blog for quite some time now. I am quite familiar with helping God out – in fact so familiar I could write an entire book about it. I may have to add that to my list of writing projects!
I have spent an incredible amount of time and money helping God out in my life – to my detriment. When I was in my 20s, I moved away from home to pursue a degree He did not have for me and eventually a man He did not have for me. The relationship ended in disaster as did my hopes for a degree. All I got out of that was a lot of debt and a lot of learning about what not to do.
In my mid-thirties, I met my late husband. Instead of watching what was going on in this relationship, stepping back and getting him some help, I decided to help God out again and get married! Truth be told, he never told me to marry my late husband – my late husband convinced me it was a good idea. I also loved him and thought, heck, love will fix anything. That’s a negative! If any of you have been reading my blogs or read my book The Road Less Traveled: A Story of Love, Pain, Hope and Everything In-Between, you know how this worked out for me. I came out of that in debt again and with a very broken heart. Now please do not misunderstand me, when we “help God out” He lets us do our thing. He is always there and He steps in to help and heal when we are done “helping” Him. I am writing this today to warn you and tell you that “helping God out” never works! It will only distract you and take you off the path He had for you. It may even break your heart and your bank account. I have helped him out twice in 20 years and I have nothing to show for it – except hard life lessons.
Why do we try to help God out? I think it is out of pride, our own wants and the need for control. We want what we want and we will do what we have to do to get it – even if it is so far from what is good for us that it is ridiculous. I can say for myself pride, want and control played a role in both of my attempts to help God in the last two decades. I’m going to say that God had nothing to do with either one of those decisions, to move away or get married – those were all Elizabeth. Elizabeth failed miserably – twice. God was right there to catch me when everything went south both times. He will never condemn us He will always use such things to teach us and grow us. I can certainly say I’ve done a lot of growing. I have also wondered how many hard knocks could have been avoided if I had not tried to help Him out - I would say a lot!
Yet, here I am. Wiser than I have ever been and grateful. Grateful for grace. Grateful for understanding and grateful that He never let me go. I know who I really am now. I know what I really want now. I know I want what He wants – not what Elizabeth wants anymore. I won’t be helping God out anymore. I’ll let Him lead and I’ll follow. I know how truly good He is now and He won’t lead me wrong. I know that I know I can trust Him! I know that I know that I am loved by Him!
Stop helping God out and start partnering with Him in what He has for you. I have only started doing this in the last few years and life is richer than it ever has been! Everything will fall into the place He has designed it to fall. I am finally at peace. I do not have to worry. I do not have to be in control. Test Him in this for yourself. You will not be disappointed!
2 Corinthians 1:20; For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Romans 8:28; And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Love, Elizabeth