One day I awoke with a cold. A few sniffles, some congestion, and mild coughing. But I have Diabetes…my thorn in the flesh…which makes mild illnesses worse. Knowing this, I did nothing.

 

In 7 days the sniffles were a massive blockage, the congestion a heavy weight, and the coughing a constant bother. I conceded this “might” be more than a cold and took some medicine, though not “as recommended”. Otherwise, I did nothing.

 

In 14 days my blocked sinuses caused painful headaches, the congestion settled deep in my chest, and the coughing grew so fierce I pulled a muscle in my side. I decided maybe I should take the medicine “as recommended”. But more than that, I did nothing.

 

By week three, the medicine was useless. I was useless. I couldn’t talk without violently coughing. Meetings and appointments were cancelled. Then I came to a conclusion: This is beyond me.

 

Refusing to ask for help is a sign of weakness.

 

Should I have seen a doctor and taken medicine sooner? Yes. But I already see more doctors than I’d like and even on good days, I take at least 13 pills a day. So I fell into the trap of thinking, “It’s not a big deal. I can handle this. I know what I’m doing.”

 

We all do this from time to time. Something is wrong at work. “It’s not a big deal.” The marriage seems shaky. “I can handle this.” An old addiction returns. “I know what I’m doing.” Whatever the problem, we try to handle it on our own.

 

The issue is not really work, a marriage, or an addiction. It’s control. We believe the old lies that we’ve got to do things on our own and asking for help is a sign of weakness. As a friend once told me, “That requires admitting I am powerless to beat this, and I can’t do that.”

 

God, our shield and strength, is always ready to help us.¹

 

The desire for control is greater than any problem we ever face. And when it comes to following or growing in a relationship with God, clinging to control causes us to stumble and fall.

 

But God says, “Follow ME. Believe ME. Trust ME. Hear ME. Obey ME. Worship ME. Live the life I have for you…not the one you desire.” ² God doesn’t want some of the control. He wants it all!

 

Life is often hard, difficult to manage, and impossible to understand. We try to create our paradise on earth…no worries or sorrows, grief or pain. But they will always invade our happiness, bringing times that beg us to admit, This is beyond me.

 

Yet nothing is beyond God. When you are ready to give Him control, He promises to give you strength. To defeat whatever faces you? No. Because when you’re ready…you won’t have to.

 

Ciloa Forever!

Chuck

 

Chuck Graham is Founder and Executive Director of Ciloa, an international ministry devoted to sharing God’s encouragement and teaching others how to “encourage one another as long as it is called Today!” He is also an author, speaker, teacher, and encourager. Chuck and his wife, Beverly, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. You can learn more about Chuck and Ciloa at www.Ciloa.org.

 

Footnotes: (1) Read Psalm 28:7; 46:1. (2) Read Matthew 16:24; Mark 5:36; John 14:1; Luke 8:8; John 14:15; Luke 4:8; John 10:10; James 4:7a

Pictures: Banner: Dark Times, photo by Chuck Graham; (1) Chuck Graham, photo by Beverly Graham.