Asking

He's Only a Prayer Away

Collins English dictionary defines shame as: the feeling of guilt or embarrassment
you get when you know you have done something wrong or foolish.

•        The same dictionary defines ASK as:

o        if you ask someone a question, you put a question for them to answer.

o        if you ask for something, you say you would like to have it.

o        if you ask someone’s permission or forgiveness, you try to obtain it.

Nowhere in the definition of ‘ask’ is there any indication that it is an act of
shame. Yet, the majority of us are ashamed to ask for what we want, whether it
pertains to the physical or spiritual. Why is that?

The “asking” phenomenon became evident during my marriage. I noticed how
difficult it was for my husband to ‘ask’ me to do even the simplest task. Rather
than asking, he would tell. When you tell someone to do something, you avoid
having to say ‘please’ and ‘thanks’. I also noticed the same attitude when dealing
with individuals outside our home. You’ve no doubt heard it said that men would
never ask for directions. I confirm this to be true. When it came to asking God for
help, my husband figured he could handle things himself. What was so wrong with
the word 'ask’? I wondered.

But did you know most women also have this problem? Yes, I was once guilty on
that count, I admit. In analyzing my inability to ‘ask’ I discovered that it was
mainly due to pride (fear of begging) and embarrassment (fear of rejection).
Embarrassment? But that word is found in the definition of ‘shame’! So, I was
ashamed to ask because I was prideful – not wanting to sound like a beggar!

Now I had a dilemma. I’m no psychologist in the workings of the mind, but I have
always been told the Bible has answers to all questions. I looked up ‘ask’ in the
concordance. Here are a few King James Scripture references I found: Matt 7:7;
Matt 21:22; John 14:13; John 16:24—and there are more.

Since the word of God encourages ‘asking’, then there is no shame in it, is there?
That is comforting; yet, many are still reluctant to ‘ask’, because the stigma is so
deeply ingrained in them. Pity! Pity, yes, we miss out on God’s blessings because
we fail to ask. In our minds we’re thinking, “God knows my needs, He will
provide”. True, but only if we ask!

The concept of ‘asking’ did not quite register in my mind, though I wanted to rid
myself of those two impostors, shame and pride. God has His way of dealing with
such matters when you reach out with sincerity.

I leave you with these words to ponder: Jesus said, “Hitherto have ye asked
nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (John
16:24)

Indeed, there is no shame in asking! He's only a prayer away!

God Bless!

NO SHAME IN ASKING

Is "asking" one of your problems, too? Please share.

Contact me at lena@dailysoulfoodforyou.com