ASK with confidence

"Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need."

It's always been hard for me to ask people for things. "Can you help me?" might take a few minutes of hesitation. I would rather try for 10 minutes, fail a few times, before surrendering to humility and asking something else of others. And yet so often I find that when asking for help, people are happy to help me. In fact, it often deepens our friendship and gives the other person a sense of pride and joy.

Someone who loves us, wants us to ask them for the things we need. Most people can't read our minds. God cans, but he still reminds us to ask. He says "You do not have because you have not asked". He tells us "Ask and it will be given to you.. for everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened." In the Word we are constantly finding a God who showers blessing upon blessing, and unending grace like rain on believers who ask God for what they need and have faith that He will provide.

I think far often in our life, when we look at things we desire but do not have: may it be characteristics or virtue we have yet to develop, material goods and prosperity, or relationships like friendships and intimate partners, we may find that we have spent too little time on our knees. When Elizabeth wanted and prayed for a child, it took years and years for God to answer her prayer. It is important for us to remember that God's time is totally different than our expectations and not to lose heart when we have to wait.

To get something you have to know what you want and then ask the right person or work hard yourself to get it. That sounds simple right? Too simple. But too often I meet friends who tell me they are unhappy with how they are living- friends who fall into depression. And I ask them, What do you want? And they don't know. They don't understand why they are not making it. And thus they can't get the help they need to get out of bad situations.

It's a New Year, and this is your life, your choice. You have the power to decide how you will think about this year and how you will act. So it's important to consider what do you want? Who do you want to serve? Will you serve God or will you serve yourself and the Devil? What goals do you want to accomplish? What habit do you want to break or disciple do you need to develop?

Think about it. Pray about it. And when you know what you want, who you want to follow, who you want to be like, ask for help.

Have you prayed for it as much as you have complained, worried, or pondered it? Complaining hurts the relationships with the people around you, worrying can increase anxiety and harm your health, thinking is a good idea but your emotions and thoughts are often misleading.

But praise God, we have a loving Father that cares about us. He knows the desires of our hearts and He knows the struggles we fight daily. He loves to talk to us; cherishes the time we spend with Him; and He enjoys answering our prayers.

You don't have to "fake it til you make it" or pretend when you have a God who sees the real you and who wants to bless your life. Talk to Him. Ask Him with confidence because He loves you.