Let Your Request Be Made Known

God has a way of getting our attention, especially when we avoid addressing our weaknesses.

On a sunset walk, I prepared my camera to capture the vibrant orange and yellow color bursts. The vivid, warm sky reflected off the still river, producing a mirror image. The peacefulness of the night sky comforted and calmed me. I closed my eyes and exhaled, “Tika, you cannot continue to do this alone.” And just like that, God used the river’s stillness to get my attention. It forced me to admit that I need partnership and community to help carry my burdens and meet my emotional needs. I am a self-described type-A introvert. As a type-A personality, I am always striving towards the next achievement. As an introvert, I rarely invite anyone in to assist me. Without realizing it, I created an unsustainable environment.

I alluded to feelings of weariness in various posts on my Wisdom of Naomi social media pages, but I never made my requests known to God.  Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

As a type-A introvert, it never occurred to me to seek help from others.  My parents raised me to be self-sufficient, and I convinced myself that asking for help was a sign of weakness. I know better now. Not only should we make our requests known to God, but it is also essential to belong to a community of friends and family who recognize when we have overextended ourselves. Moses had such a community in Jethro, his father-in-law, and the seventy elders he appointed, with Jethro’s advice.

He encouraged Moses to lean on others. Exodus 18:17-19, “Moses’ father-in-law said to him, the thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.”

That verse is all the confirmation I needed. Finally, after years of self-sufficiency and doing it alone, I am making my requests known to God. I pray for the courage to seek help and to accept it when offered. I no longer want to do it alone.

Our careers, family, and church give us purpose and direction. Yet, if we are not careful, we can wear ourselves out. This is a new way of thinking for me, so I invite you to join me in acknowledging that it is okay to ask for help. Make your requests known to God and live your life full of joy and peace, not weariness.

May God keep you and bless you,

Tika