There was a time in my life when I was upset with God for not answering a prayer. When He didn’t answer, I had already purposed not to get bitter against Him, but I was still mad at Him. I knew I needed God for my salvation, but I was done with Him beyond that. I told Him, “You didn’t answer me when I needed you most. Why would I ever ask you for anything else again?” I decided that God could exist in my life, but we weren’t going to be friends. We may be on talking terms, but it wasn’t going to be friendly terms. When needs came up, I approached them with an I got it attitude. I needed God’s help, but I wasn’t going to ask for it. I lived that way for a couple of years until another great need came up that I couldn’t do anything about. Only God could. I decided to bring down my wall and reconcile with God so I could seek His help.
David was a man who spent most of his early adulthood on the run. He was pretty self sufficient in the pasture with the sheep, but when Saul started chasing him, he developed a need for God. He learned how to ask Him for help and to depend on Him. I’m not sure what kind of king he would have been had he not learned to develop his ability to ask God for help. His needs drove him to his needs as ours should for us. God uses tough times to develop our prayer life and our relationship with Him. They’re a way for us to see that we can’t always do everything on our own. They also help to humble us so that we reconcile with God and ask for His help. He loves us and is a very present help in our time of need if we’re willing to ask for it.
David prayed in Psalms 86:4, “O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help” (NLT). God is not telling you to figure it out on your own and He’s not trying to make you fail. He’s looking for you to recognize your need for Him. He doesn’t hold any grudges or our past against us. He knows we are human and that we need Him. He’s full of love for you at this very moment and is ready to help when you ask for it. Don’t let your hurt, anger or pride keep you from asking for His help when deep down you know you need it. You’re only hurting yourself when you don’t seek Him and His help. Remember, God is good all the time. You don’t have to do things on your own.
Photo by Garon Piceli:
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 
God has a way of reminding us to lean into and depend on Him. So many things are well beyond our control. Doing things my own way and on my own terms have only caused more suffering and pain. Many valuable lessons have been learned along the way. He has changed me, changed my heart, my focus and way of thinking. His message is much more clear in my life. The importance of loving yourself and others as well as the importance of letting things go and forgiveness.
Thank you for sharing this. Those lessons learned are valuable indeed. His processes are designed to change us for sure. Thankfully He cares enough about us to continue working on us and in us.