Asking for help is one of the hardest things for so many people. Culture says that asking for assistance is wimpish. Society teaches we need to be self-sufficient at all cost. The world views being in need as poor, unintelligent, embarrassing and foolish. Giving control to someone makes people feel like they have lost their identity.
However, a biblical view of the word ‘weak’ is much different.
Paul said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong,”in 2 Corinthians 12:10. Paul considered himself weak so he could receive Christ’s power. He knew Christ was more powerful on his worst day on the cross than Paul’s best day feeling strong. He knew in Christ he could endure insults, hardships, persecutions and even being in sever need while in prison. He gave all he had to Jesus to open the door for Christ’s power to be revealed in him. Paul outsourced his worldly desires in return for eternal strength to deal with them.
Outsourcing weakness to supply yourself with an even better outcome is actually very smart. But, only someone ready to deny himself, surrender his will and give up his natural tendencies can experience the strength in weakness. Webster says that outsourcing is to send a job to be done by another. Some things can only be outsourced to Christ alone.
Outsource Worry
How can you outsource worry? Prepare. Have a plan. Decide beforehand how your will react in upcoming situations and what you will say. Luke 21:14 says, “But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.”
Intentionally decide you will give the situation to God. No matter what happens or someone’s reaction, you will let God battle for you behind the scenes. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
In an interview, a 93 year old lady was asked what her secret was to looking so young. She said that 30 years ago she decided not to worry about anything.
What worry can you outsource to Jesus today?
Outsource Offense
Being offended starts it ALL!! A comment triggers you and you strike back. A photo sets you off and you resent the sender. Your boss treats you unfair and it shows in your work and attitude. Your husband did not listen and your feelings are hurt. Political parties use unfair, unethical practices and you debate and argue. A company puts out a lewd commercial. Someone ignores you and you feel rejected. Someone calls you names for believing something contrary to their beliefs.
How can you outsource offense: Give grace in all situations. Be kind always. Forgive regardless. God gives you grace and not what you deserve. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved …”
Extend grace as you have received it.
In the book The Bait of Satan by John Bevere, offense is the bait. Oh how we take the bait because we have not predetermined we will not be offended.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances…”
Let the Lord fight your battles.
Outsource Selfishness
How can you outsource selfishness? Have the same mindset as Christ. He looked for opportunities everywhere he went.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Intentionally look for someone to help everywhere. Prepare to help someone everywhere you go. Be creative.
1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”
Outsource Pride
Pride is a feeling that you are important and better than others. You feel like you deserve things you haven’t even worked for. You also feel like rules don’t apply to you.
Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
We all know people that try to tell a bigger and better story, but there is another pride that is even more destructive. Psalm 10:4 says, “In his pride the wicked man does not seek [God]; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
We all know someone who thinks they don’t need God. What they don’t realize is what Matthew explained in 25:12, “But [Jesus] replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’”
I am saddened by pride that forfeits the soul for pleasure on earth for little while.
Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Outsource pride. Give it up to the One who can give humility.
Outsource Hope
God has a bigger picture behind the scenes we know nothing about. Job 13:15 says, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.”
God is always with you. You have to decide if you are with Him and where your trust lies.
Daniel 3:17-18 says, “If we, [Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego] are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They outsourced their hope to God.
Outsource hope in the Supernatural where your true inheritance is waiting in eternity. It’s hard because he is invisible.
Asking for help from Jesus, even though you can’t see him, takes faith and perseverance in a messed up world that seems to thrive on worry, selfishness, offense and pride.
Colossians 1:17 says “He [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” In Christ Alone, all things hold together.
Asking for help and outsourcing all your needs, feeling and problems to Jesus gives you more in return than you ever thought possible. Abundant hope is waiting right after you lay it all at Jesus’ feet.