Brené Brown, who has done some very popular TED talks, has some very challenging things to say about our attitudes to help.
Helping hands? PICTURE: Cristian Newman/Unsplash
If we struggle to ask for help, because we believe it shows some sort of weakness – disorganisation, lack of intelligence, irresponsibility – then whenever we offer help to others, it will come with a whole lot of unconscious judgement.
In other words, if I find it difficult to ask for help because only weak, flawed people need help, then every time I offer help to someone, I look down my nose at them as weak and flawed.
Until I can come to terms with my own brokenness, and my own need for help, even my acts of righteousness will be like filthy rags.
What a different attitude to see yourselves as fellow sinners, helping one another, rather than the elite looking down on the plebs.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
