Help When You Need It
A few weeks ago God gave me an assignment. Not one that I didn’t have experience for. But one that required the best of me–or, better than my current best. Even better said, I needed help and all God could give for me to complete it well. The assignment? Enter a writing contest. The prize? A scholarship to a premier writers conference. Writing the article was not horribly scary, but the thought of winning terrified me. Because that would require even more of me–my abilities, my time, my courage–than I possess. At first I wondered if participating in this writing contest was what God wanted me to do with my limited time during the Christmas holidays. It is a family time, after all. And in thee world of my priorities, writing comes after my family. The fact that I was scared was my first clue that I needed to move forward, as God often asks us to do things outside of our comfort zone. But the wondering became a certainty as God showed me the topic I was to write on–a new purpose post for my blog. (If we’re honest, writing the new purpose post for my blog was birthed over two years ago and confirmed last summer. Yes, I am delinquent!)
[Heads up: I’m rebranding! A new website design is on its way, and this new purpose post will be ready for that.]
But for the purpose of this writing contest, I knew my best needed to be better than it was. That and the possibility of winning had me shaking in my boots. (Well, forget boots! This is Texas after all. I was shaking in my Yellow Box flip-flops!)
I texted my dear friend and mentor about all this, and she encouraged me with this Scripture:
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NASB)
I re-read that verse many times, emphasizing the word surely. Finally, I texted back … “Surely, He’ll help me. Right?”
So I dug a little deeper into this verse. My surely and God’s surely were two different things. My surely meant …
Maybe God will help me … right?
I hope God will help me!
He’s supposed to help me. But will He? Will He, Really?
But that’s not what God’s surely means. When God says surely, He means …
Yes!
This is a promise!
Most assuredly!
I had a choice to make. God was making me a promise. Not a promise to win, but a sure promise to help me. So I took a deeper look at the word help. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance says this:
A verb meaning to help, to aid. It means to support, to give material or nonmaterial encouragement to a person.1
Yes! God would give me material and nonmaterial support and encouragement to accomplish this task. And He did. It took a while. Longer than most things I write. But God encouraged me all the way–through His Word, texts, and editing help from a couple of friends. Oh, how I needed all of it!
I won’t know the results for another week or so. I’m comfortable leaving that in God’s hands. If His plans are for me to win one of the scholarships, then I will need another heaping dose of His help to do what’s necessary to actually go to the conference and make the most of it. And if not, that’s ok, too.
The Bigger Picture
In the overall scheme of life, writing an article for a contest is small. But God offers help regardless of the task He assigns.
Caring for parents debilitated by dementia
Fighting cancer
Struggling through financial difficulty
You name it. God is there and He wants to help–materially and non-materially. Start by spending time with Him in His Word. He will direct you to Scripture that will strengthen your heart. And at the right time, He will provide all of the other support you need for the task at hand.
I don’t know what task God has called you to today, but He is faithful. If He called you to it, He will do it through you.
Surely (YES!), God will help you! Share on XThe one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV)
1Warren Baker and Eugene E. Carpenter, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 822.
Image: Pixabay (pixel2013)
Diane, thanks for the reminder today that our God will be faithful to help me each day in those things I have been called to do. I can so forget that from time to time 🙂 May God bless you and use you as you continue to write for His purposes.
Ahhh … Joanne. We all need this reminder. I’m thankful for the “small tasks” (that seem overwhelming) to remind us that He’s with us for the large ones as well.
In this blogging life we need to read encouragement like this — God is able to carry us through the challenges and give us a spirit of excitement over the new opportunities to replace our spirit of fear.
So true, Michele. You have been an encouragement to me!
He surely will! Because HE IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT!!!
Amen, Susan!
I love this, Dianne! I’m being convicted about purpose, about joy, about being intentional… and it sort of resembles what you’re talking about here. I can’t wait to see what God does through you!
This is lovely encouragement, Dianne. Isaiah 41:10 is one of my go-to verses. It encourages me so much. Congrats to you for submitting to the contest! I’m proud of you. And yes, we can always count on God’s help when he calls us to something! I think He’s calling me to submit to more magazine and on-line writing markets. 🙂
So happy that you submitted your entry! Your encouragement from Isaiah 41:10 is a blessing and so meaningful
Eager to see how He uses YOU to further His kingdom, Shelby!
I love seeing where God is taking you and your blog, Betsy. Your words are incredibly encouraging to your readers! Praying His blessing on your ministry and He expands your territory for His kingdom!
Thank you, my friend. God’s Word hits the mark every time. <3
So needed this today as I am floundering and asking “Where does my help come from?” and “God, how are you going to show up in this circumstance… in me?”
This encourages me that He promises that it isn’t me or my own strength or ability. He will SURELY show up with what is needed for ALL aspects. Lord, help me have eyes to all the ways You show up!
Amen, Tammy! I know you are seeking Him daily. I know your eyes are OPEN! Praise God that He really does … SURELY show up with exactly what you need. Agreeing with you in prayer for your special needs today. <3
Praying for you Friend!
XO
Tammy
Love that scripture from Isaiah 41 Diane. God is faithful isn’t He? I am thankful that He upholds us when we are feeling weak in the knees. May He continue to encourage and inspire you as you write for His glory. Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts here. Words of encouragement indeed. Have a fantastic weekend and may God bless you and yours in all your endeavors in 2017!
Such beautiful encouragement! Thankful to have stopped by from the Five Minute Friday!
Thank you! <3
Thank you for taking the time, Barbie!
Thanks for your encouragement, Horace. This writing gig can be very challenging! Blessings on you this year as well!
I love the encouragement here. God is with us, helps us, goes before us and will never leave us. Thank you for linking up over at the Grace & Truth link up party.
Go, Brave You! Entering contests is hard and humbling. I’ve entered a number of them, on the fiction end of things. The waiting can be challenging, but when you know you’re obeying God, that helps a gal to keep a better perspective.
The verse your mentor sent you is one of my all-time favorites. And isn’t it funny how differently from God we define some words? I hadn’t thought about “surely” before. But I confess, I’ve defined that word as you described at certain times.
Thanks so much for the reminder that God always keeps His word to help us.
I hope you win!
Thanks so much for visiting my place. It’s so nice to “meet” you!