Whether it’s your children or grandchildren, it really is amazing to watch their personalities develop. A few weeks ago I shared how my little granddaughter hates to take medicine, well; she also doesn’t like it when people help her.
For example, she was trying to climb on the couch so I tried to help her, but she pushed my arm away and jumped down so that she could do it on her own. Or after she’s finished eating, she’s the only one who can unbuckle her highchair. And she hates it when I try to help her fix her puzzles on her I-pad. She is one independent and determined little girl.
And of course, she’s no different than most of us. Determination can be a good thing, although sometimes pride causes determination to cross over into stubbornness and foolish behavior. Below is a list of ten good reminders why sometimes it’s just impossible to help someone who is struggling with a problem. On the other hand, I also use this list as a checkup when I seem to be stuck in a problem.
Ten Reasons Why God Can’t Use Me to Help You
1. I can’t help you if you claim you don’t have a problem. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” I John 1:8
2. I can’t help you if you think God, or I, am the source of your problems. “Far be it from God to do evil…It is unthinkable that God would do wrong…” Job 34:10
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” Luke 6:41
3. I can’t help you if we desire different outcomes. “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” Amos 3:3
4. I can’t help you if you refuse a scriptural solution to your problem. “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
5. I can’t help you if you are unwilling to make the same investment in yourself, as I am willing to invest in you. “He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.” Proverbs 15:32
6. I can’t help you change if you refuse to invest the time it takes to change.
“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…” Hebrews 6:1
7. I can’t help you if you remain involved in relationships that will destroy you. “Bad company corrupts good character.” I Corinthians 15:33
8. I can’t help you if you want to lead others astray. “…woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” Luke 11:46
9. I can’t help you if you are set on disobeying God. “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:41
10. I can’t help you if you refuse to accept the seed that has been planted in you. “…Still other seed fall on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more that was sown.” Luke 8:8
Under His Mercy, Mike