Every single day we encounter an array of situations, circumstances and challenges. Sometimes it leaves us thinking whether to share our thoughts and concerns with others or to think and to figure it out on our own. Do we seek help by sharing it with others to know their insights (which also means opening yourself up to them) or trust your own judgment and discernment to find the answer you need? Ecc 3:1 teaches us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”; v7 there is a time to be silent - to think on your own, to examine yourself 2Cor 3:15, to introspect the circumstances; And there is a time to speak – to share, to open-up, to seek help or to just simply let it out. But how do we know when to do one and not the other? We have an innate need as humans to connect and commune. We find comfort and support in sharing our thoughts, fears, and challenges with others. We have that natural desire to talk to people about our problems. Sometimes it is good and even important to seek guidance from others when making decisions Prov 15:22 – a wide variety of perspectives can lead to better decisions. It can also give us emotional support that we need during challenging times Prov 12:25. And by sharing with others, we tap into the other person’s knowledge and experience that may help us deal with our own. And yet, we ought to be very careful who we share things to Prov 18:24, Prov 12:5 as wrong advice may lead to more harm than good. Or we end up being gossiped about. On the other hand, there are situations or moments in our life where self-reflection is the way to go. There are things that only you can truly and wholly understand Prov 14:10. Others won’t be able to see as you see things. They may even see it as shallow or not justified. Something difficult for you may be easy for others or easy for you may be a huge burden for others. Going through situations, challenges on our own would lead us to a better and deeper understanding of ourselves – our strengths, our weaknesses and our areas for growth. However difficult things are, we must persevere, as perseverance would build our characters and character produces hope Rom 5:3-4. So how do we know when to seek guidance from others or fight on our own? I don’t know, it would be different in every situation. What I know is when we truly trust the LORD, whether you choose to carry your own cross Lk 14:17 or carry it with others Gal 6:2, he will lead us to the right way Is 30:21. Embrace the challenges. Trust in the LORD.
Adrianne