“Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 NIV
“Rarely, if ever, can a person truly say, ‘I did it all by myself.’”
My thoughts and comments today are that “together is better.”
When you take an honest look at life, you recognize that whatever your successes, there were few things you achieved by your efforts alone. Rarely, if ever, can a person truly say, “I did it all by myself.” And if you did, you did not do it as well as you could have with others’ help; together is better! “Two are better than one . .” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV. Why does it seem important for a person to claim full credit? What drives a person to need to believe an achievement is theirs alone? Those who fail to appreciate and acknowledge the contribution of others will eventually find themselves without others’ help.
The seed of that need is insecurity. If you struggle with that, maybe you need to become “comfortable in your own skin.” Security within yourself occurs when you are at ease with what your abilities are, as well as what they are not. Insecurity is not uncommon and only means that you have not identified the extent and limits of your securities. It is healthy and helpful to recognize that you have both. However multi-talented you may be, no one – not even you – possesses every ability, skill, and talent for every task. Insecurity insists that others know what you can do but worries they may find out what you cannot.
Letting people think you can do it all by yourself is an exhausting way to live. You will never do as much, never do as well, and never be as satisfied. Anyone has something to contribute to make the work of everyone a little more, a little better. God says, “Give to everyone what you owe them . . give respect and honor to whom it is due.” Romans 13:7 NLT. To whom it is due; so simple and practical a lesson to remember. Be thankful for others’ help and generous to share credit where due. If you require all the credit for what is done, you will receive all the blame for what was not done well.
When you do succeed, through benefit of the unrecognized work of others, pride is birthed from the insecurities you carefully deny. Pride is a tyrant that cannot allow or admit any failure, but with pride failure is inevitable. The Bible warns, “Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18. The longer that takes, the greater and further the fall. The Bible says, “God sets Himself against the proud, but He shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 NLT. Better to have God for you, than resisting you; don’t you think?
“Be down to earth with each other for – God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is upon you; He’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.” 1 Peter 5:5-7 The Message. Content, carefree, and cared for, that’s what God promises; isn’t that what you want most?
Samuel led Israel in a great victory. Their constant enemy, the Philistines, had been soundly defeated. It takes a leader to lead, but it takes more than one man to win a war. Samuel recognized his part was not apart from the help of God and others. “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” 1 Samuel 7:12 NIV. Notice two words: the Lord, and us! Samuel gave credit where credit was due. Where you include God, God includes you. See Psalm 28:7 NIV. The result? Continued success for everyone! “So the Philistines were subdued . . and throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the Lord’s powerful hand was raised against the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:13 NLT. Why do alone what you can do better with God and others?
My prayer today for you is that you feel no need for the credit, nor requirement to do it all alone.