Excuses for not getting help

I am in a position to encourage people to get help for their problems, sometimes involving significant expense or travel. Here are the most common excuses I hear, and my responses.

1. It costs too much money.
   *Not getting help is usually more expensive than getting help.
2. I’m too busy.
   *That's probably part of the problem.
3. My spouse won’t let me.
   *Your spouse is not your parent.
4. I’m not the one with the problem, he is!
   *Is his problem affecting you?
5. I’m going to try it on my own for awhile.
   *That’s what you’ve been doing. Check the results.
6. I can’t find a therapist, group, or program that’s the perfect fit for me.
   *You never will.
7. My kids will miss me while I’m away.
   *But they’ll love the new and improved you!
8. I just need to be stronger and try harder.
   *If that's all it took you would be better by now.
9. I have to take care of a sick friend, relative, or pet.
   *Someone else can. Contrary to popular opinion you are not indispensable!
10. Turning to others for help means I am not trusting God.
    *Can you trust that God will work through his people?
11. The future is more important than the past.
    *Right. And addressing the past will help you have a better future.
12. I have to attend my daughter’s dance competition.
    *If you were in a car accident you wouldn’t attend it. Maybe you’ve been in an emotional accident!
13. Spending that much time or money on myself is selfish.
    *Taking good care of yourself will actually enable you to be more useful to others.

Please comment below and let us know what excuses tend to keep you from getting the help you need. Or maybe, tell us of a time when you took a risk and invested heavily in your own healing and recovery, and how it paid off. (If you can't figure out how to leave a comment, email me and I'll send you instructions... doug@growingandhealingministries.com. Thanks!