Depending on God for Help

Life is fragile, and it only takes an accident or a disease to intensify that reality. Yet human beings are capable of managing immense hardships while simultaneously struggling with physical or emotional complications. Still our resilience, flexibility and strength are limited, highlighting our dependency on God for help.

Samson pleaded with God to give him one final opportunity to display his strength, which would officially end his life rather than continue to live in humiliation as a blind slave. He may have believed this demonstration of power would bring Israel closer to freedom while concurrently permitting him to die with integrity.

As a blind slave Samson exercised the only option which he believed he had at that moment. He activated what faith he had in the Lord by asking for strength to carry out one final act against Israel’s enemy. God's ways are not our ways since he has a complete, perfect picture of the future. For that, I am thankful. 

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Listen, Lord, to my prayer; hear my cries for help. I call to you in times of trouble, because you answer my prayers.

~Psalm 86:6-7 Good News Bible

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Promises and Character Strengths

The promises you make are important because they reveal your character. Your commitment to keep promises echoes your sincerity, integrity and faithfulness. A promise resembles a covenant, a pledge to maintain certain terms of an agreement. In a positive sense its gives assurance to actively do specific things for the good of another or oneself.

Guilt can become a troublesome problem when we promise what we can’t deliver. It invites criticism from others and opens the door for self-condemnation because trust has been violated between oneself and others. A good standard to live by is to promise only what you know for certain you will complete.

God will not help you sweep broken promises under the rug but will give you the means for fulfilling what you’ve promised, although it may seem impossible or inappropriate to do so. God acknowledges your determination to be responsible and will open doors for you to succeed. “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength.”