I didn’t think I needed a life vest—-until I fell in the water.
I didn’t think I needed a helmet—-until I hit the rocks.
I didn’t think I needed new tires—-until I had a blowout.
I didn’t think I needed gasoline—-until my tank ran dry.
I didn’t think I needed to eat—-until there was no restaurant in sight.
I didn’t think I needed motel reservations—-until there was no vacancy.
I didn’t think I needed a road map—-until I got lost.
I didn’t think I needed an umbrella—-until I got caught in the rain.
I didn’t think I needed admission tickets—-until I was refused entrance.
I didn’t think I needed extra money—-until I went broke.
I didn’t think I needed a friend—-until I felt a suffocating loneliness.
I didn’t think I needed a helping hand—-until I couldn’t help myself.
I didn’t think I needed a smile—-until sadness overwhelmed me.
I didn’t think I needed a kind word—-until I sensed hostility all around me.
I didn’t think I needed encouragement—-until I failed yet again.
I didn’t think I needed family—-until life became terribly empty.
I didn’t think I needed faith—-until my five senses left me without answers.
I didn’t think I needed hope—-until bitter despair smothered me.
I didn’t think I needed love—-until it seemed like everyone rejected me.
I didn’t think I needed truth—-until confusion raged around me.
I didn’t’ think I needed forgiveness—-until the weight of guilt crushed me.
I didn’t think I needed God—-until I understood the brevity of my life.
I didn’t think I needed salvation—-until sin held me in bondage.
I didn’t think I needed the Bible—-until I yearned for spiritual food.
I didn’t think I needed a pastor—-until nobody gave me spiritual care.
I didn’t think I needed the church—-until I was washed up and abandoned.
I didn’t think I needed to watch what I was doing—-until my children did.
I didn’t think I needed to pray—-until everything fell apart.
I didn’t think I needed healing—-until disease invaded my body.
I didn’t think I needed deliverance—-until I knew I had no power to survive.
Isn’t it amazing? We know what we need to do, but we just don’t do it. We know we need all of these things, and more. Yet, we allow pride to rule our lives and throw us into disastrous situations.
It is time to stop engaging in fantasies about self-sufficiency and personal ability. Those who do not forsake their pride will spend the rest of their lives doing damage control. Doesn’t it make so much more sense to admit that we do have real needs and reach out to God for His divine help? To do so is not weakness. It is just being smart where it counts.