“Look what I did!” declares the proud preschooler, pointing to a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Except she didn’t make them—not without a lot of help.
Nana read the recipe; she couldn’t read yet.
Nana gathered most of the ingredients; the child couldn’t reach up into the cabinets.
Nana picked the eggshell-pieces out of the bowl after exuberant egg-tapping on the rim.
Nana helped to accurately measure ingredients and thoroughly scrape the bowl.
Nana adjusted the dollops of dough on the cookie sheet, making them similar-sized for even baking.
Nana put the cookies in the oven and later retrieved them, then set them on cooling racks so little hands didn’t get burned.
And yet the preschooler thinks she made the cookies.
We might chuckle at her unrealistic view of the circumstances, until the realization dawns: we’ve exhibited our own unrealistic view of our circumstances with God.
Perhaps, like me, you’ve run ahead of God, assuming you can handle the challenge ahead. I’ve also been guilty of taking credit when, in reality, my efforts would be worthless without him.
Truth be told, not a moment goes by that God is not helping us in one way or another.
Sometimes his help is demonstrated in monumental ways, as he attends to situations outside our range of capability or influence. I’ve written about such experiences in our family.*
Sometimes God comes alongside in ways that are more easily overlooked. For example:
- One of those times when I was plagued by writer’s block, I sensed God telling me, “Wait till morning. Rest.” Immediately upon waking, an idea occurred.
- God settled a bout of sciatica, and I was able to accomplish everything necessary before house guests arrived.
- Joy-filled, supportive friendships have spanned the years of our lives.
- Sometimes God brings to mind a bit of his wisdom or an anecdote to share, and the listener expresses sincere appreciation.
- Those close calls on the roadways offer perfect examples of his intervention.
- On occasion, sacred insight comes in the form of a quote:
Oh yes, I need God’s help not to become proud (“Look how God has blessed ME!”), greedy (“Thanks for your all blessings, Lord, but I need this too!”), or take for granted God’s benevolence and never thank him at all.
In addition, God would have us understand:
His help often comes gradually. Think of:
- Joseph, languishing in prison until Pharoah calls for him to interpret his dream (Exodus 39:19-41:43)
- David, living as a fugitive until God fulfills his promise to make him king (1 Samuel 16-31; 2 Samuel 1-2)
- The Israelite captives, waiting in Babylon for God to raise up a leader (Nehemiah 1-2)
Remember:
He often helps when we least expect it.
Think of:
- The widow of Zarephath, expecting to die during famine—until the prophet Elijah arrives (1 Kings 17:7-16)
- Daniel, expecting to die in the lions’ den–until God shut their mouths (Daniel 6)
- Jonah, expecting to die within the great fish—until his release on dry ground (Jonah 2)
In addition:
God’s help always comes to those with faith.
The psalmists offer a starter-list of affirmations:
- “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:5 NLT).
- “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NIV).
- “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).
May we live by such truths, and when help materializes, may we be quick to proclaim, “Look with GOD did!”
How has God helped you? Please share in the comments below!
* Examples include: Come and See What God Has Done, After the Fact, and God of the Unexpected (see the illustration at the end for this last one).
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From the Inside Out 
He has helped me to rest and to claim peace during hardships. Though this behavior may not be my initial reaction, His constant presence helps me to have joy
Amen, Brenda. Even during hardship, God’s presence is a source of joy. Nothing compares to HIS comfort, support, and encouragement through difficult times!
Amen
Your example of the small child “making” cookies was spot on! How often do I take credit for what He’s really done? Lately, the Lord has helped me identify a spirit of resentment I had no idea I had, and in dealing with me, He showed me anew how He’s forgiven me and how I can forgive others. Resentment can be crippling, and until He revealed it, I was clueless. I’m grateful He never gives up on me, even in my mess. This was really great, Nancy. Thanks.
Thank you, Dayle. Praise God for helping us let go of resentment, anger, negativity, and any number of other detrimental attitudes. The enemy loves to get us down and keep us there, but when we turn to God (over and over again), he uplifts our spirits and shows us the way to joy. It may not be instantaneous, it may not be easy, but perseverance wins the battle and we’re the better for it.
Wonderful reminders
Thank you, Carolyn! Refreshing the mind and spirit is a good habit to keep.
Wonderful post! God is always working on our behalf even when we are not fully aware of His constant care. He is with us at all times, and we are never alone.
Amen, Linda. Such wonderful reassurances to hold close to our hearts!
what a good post and certainly humbles me!! great example
Thank you, Jean. Praise God you found this post meaningful.
I try to remember when things don’t go what I consider “my way” that God may well be intervening and protecting me from a danger I never knew was there–a delay on the highway, an appointment mixup, etc. God is good and works for us all the time.
That is a very healthy attitude to take, Linda. Less struggle and frustration, more acceptance and faith. And I couldn’t agree with you more: God is good and works for us all the time. Thank you for that reminder!
Nancy, this is a perfect example of the Christian trying to “do the Lord’s work” himself. How quickly we forget Who has given us everything we have and enabled us to do everything we do!
Then there’s the “self-made man,” who doesn’t even believe in God, much less give Him credit. But God is the One who gave him his abilities, his mind that could benefit from the education (provided him by his parents – also gifts from God), job opportunities, health and safety so he can continue to work, and the gift of living in a country where what he “earns” isn’t immediately taken away from him by tyrants. Every day of his life – life itself – all came from the God he doesn’t believe exists.
If you know someone like that, say a prayer for him or her today. I know I’m going to.
AMEN, Annie, and well said! I do pray for some people who haven’t yet seen the Light of how much God has done for them.
As I read this, I’m thinking of the issue of “works righteousness,” a concept I sometimes struggle with. We are expected to do good works such as feeding the poor, but the problem comes when we think we’re doing this as a way to earn God’s approval rather than as gratitude for what God has done for us. And thinking our achievements are totally our own doing.
AMEN, Debi Sue. You’ve brought to mind Ephesians 2:8-9: “God saved you through faith as an act of kindness. You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God. It’s not the result of anything you’ve done, so no one can brag about it” (GWT). Praise God for his gracious love, for forgiving us for our failings!
It’s a timely post, Nancy. Last Sunday our pastor reminded us God is alongside in our lowest moments, by using the acronym HALT. We are most tempted to stray when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Instead we should halt, for it is in these vulnerable moments we are most open to the changes God wants in us. Also, I had one of those close calls on the roadway just yesterday, where the oncoming car took the curve too fast and was instantly inching into my lane. It was just another reminder: life goes on, for reasons beyond what we may choose to understand in the moment.
Thank you for sharing your pastor’s sermon highlights, Dave. That’s wise advice he gave for the vulnerable moments in life: to be open to the change God wants to make in us. As for the close calls–it is a conundrum why life goes on for some of us while for some saintly folks it is cut short much too soon. Romans 11:33-36 has been very helpful for me at such times.
Time and experience have taught me that when I am praying about a situation there are many times that God’s answer involves some hard times. His help isn’t always a bed of roses but in that time He teaches me so much about trust and about His faithfulness. We are in such a place now but we hang on and trust God to work. By the way, Aaron is much like that precious preschooler when he “helps” me cook. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend, Nancy.
I too have learned much about trust and God’s faithfulness during difficult times. Putting Philippians 4:8 into practice is another example: “Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable” (GNT). I know you agree: dwelling on the problem is counter-productive! / God bless you, my friend as you navigate through your present hard place. May God resolve the situation quickly (Psalm 70:1)!
Thank you, Nancy!
Whenever I need to console or encourage someone-with my mouth!-the words in my brain evaporate into thin air. That’s when I ask the Lord to please help me say the right words. And often those words pop right into my head. Thank you, Nancy, for sharing your faith. 🙂
Isn’t that a glorious feeling? Praise God for filling in the gaps when our word and/or actions seem terribly inadequate for the situation!
Hi Nancy,
We can do nothing of value without Him. Ideas are better we come back rested and big decisions, too.
In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
All true, Gary! Thank you for your added insight.
Good insight, Nancy. We all receive help in so many ways and from so many places. Even if I am the one actually making the cookies, I am still dependent on the farmers who grew the wheat for my flour, the villagers who harvested the cacao beans, the chicken farmers who gathered the eggs, on and on and on! We are blessed in so many ways.
Great point, Lisa. We ARE very dependent upon one another. And I love how, in God’s kingdom, bestowing the blessedness brings even more joy than receiving it!
Thanks Nancy for the example of the young child. Your posts are always encouraging. Psalm 46:1 is a favorite verse.
Praise God this post brought you encouragement, Pam! Psalm 46:1 is a valuable verse to keep in mind.
‘Truth be told, not a moment goes by that God is not helping us in one way or another.’
Amen. It shouldn’t take us too long to realize that our own strength fades quickly, disappoints us, has little to offer.
Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness. You truly care for Your children and we are grateful
Thank you, Linda, and AMEN to your prayer! Isn’t it wonderful to be a member of God’s family and under his care? What a gracious Father he is.
I experienced a very scary near-miss while on the road a couple of years ago. Praise the Lord I saw this car coming towards me in my lane. As I swerved out of the way I almost hit a pole. I KNOW the Lord intervened in this case and many more of which I am unaware.
Praise God for every intervention! “The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3)!
I’m always tickled with the way He works on our behalf and makes us look good. No one like Our Lord!
Oh, RH–I never thought of God’s help in that way–LOVE it! I can think of a number of times when his help did indeed make me look much better than I could have achieved on my own–performances, speaking engagements, teaching opportunities, etc! God is so good!