Asking For Help is Not Failing

“We’re all imperfect, and we all have needs. The weak usually do not ask for help, so they stay weak. If we recognize that we are imperfect, we will ask for help and we will pray for the guidance necessary to bring positive results to whatever we are doing.” — John Wooden

Asking for help has never been easy for me. I am very independent and like to accomplish things on my own or handle problems without any assistance (it’s called pride, people). For so many — myself included — the idea of asking for help is a sign of weakness or dependency. It means they aren’t smart enough or good enough. So instead of asking for help, we just try to do everything ourselves. The truth is that asking for help is a good thing, and it makes you a better person and a stronger leader.

There are so many assumptions about asking for help. People see it as a sign of weakness, they think that allowing someone to help means that they are losing control of the situation, or they think that asking for help would be a burden to someone else. You’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village.” We are more powerful, stronger, and successful when we have help and when we work together. The strongest leaders are the ones who aren’t afraid to ask for support. It’s not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength that you are willing to admit that you don’t have all the answers and need assistance.

I experienced this time and time again in college. As I was navigating life on my own, I had to swallow my pride countless times and call up my dad (usually in tears) to ask for help. Whether it was help with a paper, finances, or life, I never regretted asking for help once I did. In fact, every time I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I ask for help sooner?”

When you ask for support, you create opportunities for others to share their gifts and talents. You empower others to excel and you get to learn more about their passions and strengths. Asking for help allows other people to experience the joy that comes from giving. It teaches you to trust in others and gives you the chance to humble yourself and admit that you are not perfect, just like everyone else. Most importantly, it reminds us to ask for help from the one who saved us. Humbling yourself in prayer and asking the Lord for help and guidance is the most imperative, because He is the one who can and has helped us the most. There is strength in vulnerability, don’t be afraid to let others help carry your load.


Abby Rice is a 2014 graduate of Lakeland Christian School and a 2018 graduate of Florida State University.