Being a Blessing in your Weakness by Barbara M. Britton

This past October, I came down with pneumonia. The illness came on fast and had me in bed for over a week. Praise the Lord for antibiotics and inhalers. I can see why pneumonia takes so many lives.

During my illness, a friend called and offered to bring me some supplements and food. I was well-stocked, so I refused her help. Later that day, she arrived with flowers, supplements, and items I didn’t even know I needed. I am thankful that my friend did not listen to me. She was a blessing and a faithful witness for Christ.

Jesus knew what I needed even when I felt sufficient in my supplies. He knew I would benefit from the outpouring of caring from friends and the knowledge that prayers were going to Him in abundance. Have you ever turned away help from friends and neighbors and traveled a path alone? Oh, how we miss out on Christian community when we block the blessings from others.

Philippians 2: 4 says,

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Who is the apostle Paul addressing in this passage? He is speaking to those united with Christ. Those receiving comfort from God’s love. Those in fellowship with the Spirit. Paul is speaking to you and me, brothers and sisters in Christ. (Philippians 2:1)

We live in a culture of individualism which looks down upon being needy. With life happening the way it has these past few years we all are in need sooner or later. Learn from my mistake and glean wisdom from God’s Word. Allow people to come beside you and encourage you as you heal. Allow your fellow Christians, and non-Christians, to be a blessing.

I’m not the first one to refuse help and embrace the go-it-alone mantra. In II Samuel 15:19-20, King David is fleeing from a rebellious son bent on seizing David’s kingdom. David refuses help from a Philistine commander with six-hundred men under his command.  Why would David refuse the help of such a fighting force? We don’t know David’s thinking, but David was about to miss out on a blessing from God. Or was he?

Ittai the Gittite, the Philistine commander, dismisses David’s reasoning and pledges his support to God and to David. Finally, David wakes up and relents, allowing Ittai and his men to be part of David’s army. God uses an unlikely Bible hero, a Philistine exile, to give encouragement to David, and to point David to the one who is always in control during the good times and the challenging times. Seems King David and I have something in common.

Is Ittai the Gittite a new Bible hero for you? He’s been in the shadows far too long. In February, I bring his story to light in Defending David.

We have a long winter ahead. If you fall on difficult times, allow your friends and neighbors to be a blessing. You’ll find joy in the comfort of friends, and in the comfort of your Savior.

 

 

When a quiet journey to Jerusalem turns tragic, newly orphaned Rimona must flee a kinsman set on selling her as a slave. Racing into the rocky hills outside of Hebron, Rimona is rescued by a rugged Philistine commander journeying to Jerusalem with six-hundred warriors. Can Rimona trust this giant foreigner, or will she be betrayed once again?

Exiled commander, Ittai the Gittite, is seeking refuge in the City of David. Protecting a frantic Hebrew woman is not in his leadership plan. Though having a nobleman’s niece in his caravan might prove useful for finding shelter in a foreign land.

As Rimona and Ittai journey to Jerusalem, an attraction grows between the two orphans looking for a new home. The unlikely pair arrives in Jerusalem on the eve of a revolt against King David. Will the chaos separate them forever, or can a bold woman and a Philistine exile defend an aging king who has slain tens of thousands, but cannot control a rebellious son?

You can pre-order Defending David which releases on February 25, 2022 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or wherever books are sold. Libraries can order it, too.

 

 

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She is published in Biblical Fiction and loves bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. Her WWI Historical Until June released in 2020. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Romance Writers of America. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.

Find out more about Barbara’s books on her website www.barbarambritton.com or follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or BookBub.