We’ve all had those days—those weeks, even—where we’re struggling on the inside but putting on a brave face for the world. Maybe it’s because we’ve been conditioned to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Maybe it’s because we’re used to being the strong one, the one who holds it all together for everyone else. But here’s the truth: accepting help is not a sign of weakness—it’s an act of strength.

There is incredible bravery in admitting when we’re not okay and allowing ourselves to lean on the people who love us. It’s easy to feel like we’re burdening others when we ask for help but think of how you feel when someone you care about reaches out. You want to support them, right? You feel honored to be trusted with their heart. The people in your life feel the same way about you.

But why is it so hard to accept help when we need it most? Sometimes it’s because we’ve built our identity around being the strong one. (I did.) We’re so used to carrying everything on our own shoulders that we don’t even realize when the weight is too much. (I didn’t realize all the weight I was carrying.) Other times, it’s because we’re afraid—afraid of being seen as vulnerable or “less than.” But vulnerability is not something to be feared. It’s where true connection is born. It’s where healing begins.

Allowing others to support us is a form of self-love. It’s recognizing that you don’t have to do it all alone. You are worthy of being cared for, just as much as you care for others. And it’s okay to admit when you’re struggling. It doesn’t make you any less capable, less strong, or less you.

Today, I want to encourage you to give yourself permission to accept help. Whether it’s from a friend, a family member, or even a professional, letting someone else in when you’re struggling doesn’t diminish your strength—it magnifies it. It’s in those moments of reaching out that we discover the power of community and the beauty of being held when we need it most.

So, the next time you feel like you’re not okay, remember that you don’t have to pretend you are. You are allowed to ask for help. You are allowed to lean on others. You are allowed to receive the love and care that surrounds you.

Let’s end with a simple prayer for accepting help:

Dear Lord,

Grant me the strength to admit when I am not okay. Help me to open my heart to receiving support from those around me. Remind me that I am not meant to carry my burdens alone and that there is grace in allowing myself to be cared for. May I find peace in vulnerability and healing in connection. Amen.