I know a Guy!
B. Keith Chapman, President & CEO
I am sure you can remember a time when you were facing a problem or project in which you felt unqualified or unskilled to handle. It might have been when you were facing a debilitating personal issue, or maybe something simple like looking for some help on a project around the house. At some point, you concluded that you would be better off seeking the assistance of someone that had better knowledge, skill, and ability. While you could always try on your own, the outcome would never be as good as if you had a seasoned professional available to help. It is always good when you ask for advice or help and hear the phrase, “I know a guy!”. That usually implies the person knows of someone that has the right experience and wisdom to help.
Les Brown once said, “Ask for help. Not because you are weak. But because you want to remain strong.” I can really appreciate and related to this statement, because asking for help is not very easy for a lot of us. Each of us have our own unique strengths and weaknesses. Yet, we only want people to know our strengths and we try to cover up our weaknesses. After all, weaknesses can be embarrassing and cause us to really struggle at times. Successful leaders will tell you that surrounding yourself with people that are strong in areas you are weak will help make you stronger. This is certainly true. However, having a strong network of resources around you is only half the battle. Asking for help and using their talents and abilities to improve your situation can be the real challenge.
Have you ever heard someone say, “I can’t be all things to all people”? While this was likely said at a time of stress and frustration, it is so true. We all have skills and abilities, but we certainly can’t be an expert at everything. Relying on those around us to support and encourage is invaluable but does not always produce the results that we may hope. Even the most talented and successful people have limitations and don’t always respond in ways that are helpful to our specific situation. Identifying strategies to deal with and improve our weaknesses is so important to our overall satisfaction and quality of life.
In 2 Corinthians 12 the apostle Paul was struggling on how to deal with a weakness in his life that he called a “thorn in my flesh”. As he prayed about it, God told Paul in verse 9, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul responded by saying, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” There is a powerful lesson in this response. Paul embraced the power of God working in his life despite his weakness. If we are honest with ourselves, we all have weaknesses that torment us from time to time. We can struggle with insecurity, sickness, depression, addiction, fear, anxiety, hurt, anger, and the list can go on and on. We may not have anyone around us that we feel like can relate or help. However, there is good news! I know a Guy! He is with us always. He is righteous. He is the giver of peace. He is our healer. He is our refuge in a time of need. He is our provider. He is our shepherd. He is the only One that can be all things to all people. He is our Savior and Redeemer Christ Jesus! Use Him as your source of strength and be encouraged even in your times of weakness.
Challenge: Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Surround yourself with people who are strong in areas that you are weak. Ask for help when you need it. Never forget that you have access to the only One that can be all things to all people and whose power works best in your weakness!
Published: November 1, 2021
