I Got This

Puzzles.

They’re the previous generation’s version of Angry Birds or Bejeweled.

But I must confess: I absolutely love them.


I rarely do them, because let’s be honest: every ounce of free time I have is devoted to BBB, but I do love a good puzzle.

So I make the kids I nanny for do them with me 🙂 hehe

#JobPerks

But it’s really neat to watch the excitement in their eyes when they get a piece that fits.

Now, I’m just gonna be straight: I’ve got mad puzzle skillz. Yes, with a Z.


But I’ve done enough puzzles to know the method: edges first, then work your way in.

I know, I’m a pro 🙂 Hold the applause 😉

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But kids don’t know this method.

So they’ll be like, battling exhaustively with an edge piece — or for heaven’s sake a corner piece — for like 5 minutes. So I’ll gently ask, “Do you want some help with that, buddy?”

“No, no! I can do it!”

Five more minutes pass. They’re still struggling.

“You sure you don’t want me to help you?”

“No way, I got this!”

Alright, alright.

So I’ll sit by, and watch them strain tirelessly, meanwhile, knowing exactly where the piece goes.

Until exasperated, they’ll say, “Ugh! Help please!”


And as I was sitting there watching them struggle, I thought to myself, I bet this is how God feels.

*Please note: I am in no way, shape, or form comparing myself to God.

But I bet that’s how He feels. He’s up there, ready and willing and wanting to help, but we’re too stubborn, or determined, or proud, or whatever to ask for help. We want to do it ourselves.

And what father, or babysitter, would forcefully snatch the puzzle piece out of the kid’s hand and be like, “Here, let me do it, you moron!”


Not a good one, I’ll tell you that.

God wants us to ask for help.

Gosh, I spent a lot of years struggling with a particular puzzle piece of my own. Anorexia is a lingering disease. And even though you can get in a “normal” or “nearly normal” weight range, inklings of the disease can still loiter: whether that’s overexercising, binging, restrictive eating, orthorexic-tendencies, body dysmorphia – for me, it was (and still is) self-love/worth issues. Which, I’m making strides in that area, but I still have a ways to go.


But in other areas of life, too, we can struggle: gossiping, breaking a destructive habit like gambling or promiscuity, binge drinking, excessive shopping – whatever it is, “I can do it myself!”

And sometimes, we can mistake that struggle for God’s absence or indifference.

But have we ever considered that maybe, just maybe, He’s standing by, just waiting for us to ask for assistance?

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How long in my recovery did I struggle and slip up time and time again because I thought I could do it myself?

A lot.

It was my pride that kept me from seeking help, both from God and from others. Pride that, “There’s nothing wrong with me.” Pride that, “I’m capable of doing this myself. I don’t need help. I’m better than that. Recovery is beneath me.” How truly ugly those thoughts were. That sickening pride kept me struggling my with my “puzzle piece.” Kept me from freedom.

All I had to do was ask for help.


We don’t have to try again and again and again, beat our heads against a wall, exhaust our spirits and our wills. We just have to say, “You do it.”


So maybe I’m reading too much into my puzzle moments with the kids I nanny for.

But I don’t know. God often times winks at us when we least expect it.

So let me ask myself and y’all this question to ponder: “What’s stopping you from handing over the struggle?”

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208 responses to “I Got This”

    • I so agree with this post on the importance of asking for help from others and from God. When I had a nervous breakdown in 2013/14 and started doing crazy OCD checking rituals 10 hours a day, which made me want to cut my throat, I reached out to my friends inside and outside of recovery and I would pray every day. I have to say though before I went on the OCD medication the prayer didn’t work as God helps those who help themselves. I needed to take action with the medication and then the prayer worked. I’m having a bit of a crisis of faith at the moment but I still pray when I really need help with my addictions.

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  6. The beginning made me smile about putting puzzles together. My 4 year old son has been obsessed with them since he was a little over 3. He can now put together 135 pieces on his own. I CAN DO IT MYSELF! I have heard countless times. I gladly let him because all those pieces drive me nuts!! LOL! The asking for help part, I saw me in this all the way. Letting down my pride and giving up my moron ways has become less burdensome these days and I’m thankful for it. Great post; made me smile tonight!

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    • Hi Chanel! Oh thank you so much for this thoughtful reflection! Haha 135 pieces! What a stud muffin! 😎 definitely have to work on letting my pride down too. It’s a Sneaky little rascal. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and blessings to you!

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      • Meant every word of it! Your blog is incredibly inspiring. Only been following for a little while but find myself wondering what you will right next😊 I’m sure you are super busy but would love for you to check out or follow my blog if you can. Us Christian Girls have much to offer one to another. Keep writing ; I’m lovin it!

  9. So heartfelt and oh so true. There are a lot of times we think we are handling things and I have been guilty of that myself but I have to say I have grown so much in God and I know that in order for anything to work in your life, it has to be through him. Great post.

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    • Hi Corrie, thank you so much for this reflection. You are so right. It is through Him that we find new life and hope. His timing and His plan are perfect. Thanks for reading!

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  12. I do puzzles some times… They are great for relaxation. I wondered if you had to get permission to use all the images that you used in your article? I would love to use them too. Thank you.

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  13. Oh boy do I resonate with this! Each time I feel overwhelmed, I give it to God. I would rather He deal with it than face it myself =P

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    • Amen to that, pretty lady! How comforting to know that He is always there, wanting to take away our struggles and relieve our fears and doubts! Love ya girl! Hope you’re having a great week! Xox

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  15. Silly human pride? And I agree! The first step to being right, is acknowledging when you’re wrong… We’re so afraid to ask questions! Great blog entry! I enjoyed this thoroughly! One thing though… You’re images aren’t showing up. Is anyone else experiencing this problem?

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    • Hi friend! Thank you so much! I’m really glad this resonated with you tonight. Oh no! I’m sorry they’re not showing up! I’ll look into that right away. The images are half the fun! 😂😎 thanks for stopping by! Xox

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  17. I love a good analogy! This one was awesome. It’s funny how we think giving up control makes us weak. But in reality, by surrendering to a higher power, we are strengthened in ways we could never have imagined.

    We all struggle with our own personal puzzles (I love puzzles and crosswords and scrabble… Anything really, that forces me to challenge my self), so I dig my heels in at times thinking I’m strong enough, only to fall on my face/knees/pillow crying, “God, please take this burden from me, it’s just too heavy!”

    Lovely message, thanks for sharing your experience. ☺

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  18. Pride and fear of letting go. Even years into this walk every time I face the next level I have to overcome those two things: Pride in thinking I should be able to handle this myself and then fear that if I relinquish whatever the next “it” is He either will not come through or I won’t be happy without the “it”. Many “its” have come and gone but each new one shows the struggle with my old mindsets still exists. It’s getting better but there is more to do with His help!

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  20. A very intelligent blog post as usual 🙂 Puzzles are no doubt hard and when one is struggling with fitting a piece, it does coincide ironically with the everyday person’s (not everyone of course) uneven relationship with God. Their does come a time in everybody’s life (one could either be a youth or an adult) where one feels they are too good for help or anything like that and in the end’ easily forget who they are. Nevertheless, If one stops and listens to the music once in a while, they will remember why one should have an even-handed relationship with God. In other words and this is something you have mentioned numerous times is that his son Jesus died for our sins and that is the greatest sacrifice of all. To put it simply, all of us owe an hour of our time to God let alone Jesus (courtesy of attending Church). Speaking of which, lent begins next week and at that time of year one has to think about what they will give up during that time. In fact, Easter Sunday falls on the last Sunday in March this year. All in all, you have written another thought-provoking post, which is why I love visiting this site 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂

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    • Thank you so much John! You’re right, Jesus paid the ultimate price and we owe Him everything. And yes! It feels like Lent is so early this year! I can’t believe Ash Wednesday is already next week! 😱 I actually just finished up next week’s Lent post. I can my wait to share it with you all on Monday ☺️ thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful reflection, as always ☺️❤️☺️

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  21. Reblogged this on msktb and commented:
    I used to think that having the same Christian beliefs with another one of God’s children immediately made us spiritually compatible. Lessons learned and faith built on more than the actions of people who are also young in their personal journey, I now know better. It is still comforting to know that I am not alone in this world. The struggle does not need to be a struggle. But pride mixed with human arrogance, distances us from our blessings. Instead of creating my own pieces, again I find myself discovering the pieces that He has careful left for us. There’s blessings in these pieces.

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  22. You are SO right. The day came when I realized the end of the rope had started to fray and I was about to lose it. A new doctor sorted out my anti-depressants and fixed my insomnia. From there the various therapists taught me the skills I needed. My parish priest was always there, ready to help. Thank God for His mercy.

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  23. “It was my pride that kept me from seeking help…” Admire your honestly and the courage to hand it over to God. Thank you for sharing these thoughts with us.

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  24. Guilty as charged! I was like that for a looooooong time with my eating disorder. And even now that I am fully recovered I find myself in many other areas of my life thinking I can do it myself. Being an engineer, I am the type who loves to design and solve things. Just like you with puzzles. (BTW — those things drive me nuts.) I can make nearly anything work on paper. All engineers can do that. It is a trade secret and I cannot say how. But, yeah. When it comes to the real world and every issue facing this one-time brainiac, I am as stubborn as a mule. Thank you for reminding me to just hand it over to the Father so He can show me where to put that puzzle piece. God bless!

    I really like reading your posts. 🙂

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  26. You are such a beautiful writer! Healing is a journey and you are on the right track! I know that it is challenging and easy to slip into old patterns –I struggle with self-esteem issues, body image, and lack of confidence, but know that you are NEVER alone. Love, Blessings, and Prayers Always. And keep writing! xoxoxo.

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  27. Great post! I’ve written a piece about puzzles (no pun intended) where I share that the Biblical word picture for Understanding is literally two people (with God, or with another person) working together to assemble puzzle pieces. They talk to one another, collaborate together, turn the pieces in their effort to see the picture or issue, to “get it,” and when the piece clicks into place, that symbolizes both may feel understood because of the work they have done together. Here’s the link if you’d like to read it, but thanks so much for providing Godly and sweet counsel to us! May God continue to bless your efforts – Ken M http://wp.me/p4KHql-qG

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  28. I’ve thought the exact same thing! I even look at myself sometimes from the outside and be like I’m so fortunate, I just can’t see it because I’m so self absorbed in my problems which I create in my mind, because there really is no problem “right now”. Had a few moments like that yesterday. It’s great to read this post and I was laughing and nodding my head the whole time! The pictures are hilarious and the way you deliver it is amazing and so playful 🙂 Not only did you teach the kids a bit about puzzles, they taught you something as well 🙂

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  30. It’s the little things you have to read into. Somethings no matter how small really are black and white. The thing that I feel that is stopping me from giving up control, the worries I’m faced with, is simply fear of not having control.

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    • Hi Allie, thank you for this beautiful reflection. I so feel you. Giving up control is a very scary thing. How comforting to know that on the other side of that fear is incredible and unimaginable freedom. One day at a time:) thanks for stopping by! Hugs!

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  31. I’m not a fan of puzzles but at least I know the strategy now 😀 I also am not a believer in one type of God. I am more spiritual and am a person that thinks I make my own fate but I do connect with the Anorexia bit. It can be managed and it is really great to read another persons post – yours 🙂 that says you are kind of doing okay-ish on the ED war. I suppose a person has to gravitate to whatever they can to recover and want to live.

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    • Hi Daisy! Thank you so much for this reflection. You’re right, finding purpose to recover and live is so vital to beating such a horrible disease. And for life in general! I’m sorry that our pasts with ED connect us, but I’m so glad that we’re both on the journey of recovery. What a beautiful gift life is! Thanks for reading, friend. ❤️Sending so much love and hugs xox

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  33. It’s amazing how such a great piece was born from such a simple fun activity. I totally love the memes you use! Thanks for the reminder to hand everything to God. I will fly with that this year. God bless you! <3

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  35. What an awesome post, full of meaning and one I can really relate to at this stage of my life when I’m questioning so many things. Thank you so much for this nudge and reminder of how we don’t have to do it alone.

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  37. Oh my goodness!!!!!!!! I couldn’t even finish reading because I got to the part about, “Help me pleeeeeease!” and about this is how God feels watching us struggle and suddenly I just thought, “YES!” How often do I spend ALL day ruminating and perseverating about something, sometimes more than one day, and then as I collapse into my pillow exhausted, I realize that it never even occurred to me to pray as I battled and wrestled with all my might to figure it out on my own? Once I do pray, and spend enough time in genuine contemplation laying out my worries before the Lord, it is never as bad as I catastrophized it in my head.

    Now I have to go back and read the rest of your wonderful post, but I just had to tell you that.

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    • Hi Lulu, oh my gosh thank you so much for your affirming words and enthusiasm! Hehe you made me smile. So thank you:) you’re right- when we just give our struggles over to God, not only does He work and take them away, but we also experience tremendous freedom! It’s just remembering to hand them over that’s the hard part. Thanks for this thoughtful reflection my friend. Have a great day! Xox

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  41. Great post. Eye opening for sure. I wouldn’t be surprised if this simple fun, yet telling piece of writing inspires many people struggling with lots of issues today. You should be very proud how far you have come. The road ahead is one worth traveling.

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    • Oh my gosh, thank you for such encouraging words! That’s really means a lot. That’s my deepest prayer: that my words help even one person:) thanks for stopping by and taking the time to share your thoughts. Have an awesome weekend! Xx

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  42. This is amazing and inspiring. I would say pride is what is stopping me. And knowing it comes before a fall, I should get on sorting it out pretty soon.

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    • Oh thank you so much Deb! I’m so glad this resonated with you. I feel you with the Pride. It is something I definitely have to mentally check every day. It’s a sneaky little rascal! Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend! hugs xox

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  43. Wonderful post. Sometimes, it’s not pride holding us back but a fear but being vulnerable. Especially in our society today, there is so much pressure to have a “perfect” face to show the world and yet so many of us are dying inside.
    Ironically, when we are vulnerable enough to admit weakness, we find the strength to overcome it.
    Blessings,
    Ria Story

    http://www.riastory.com

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    • Hi Ria, thank you for this beautiful reflection. You’re so right. The fear of vulnerability I’d definitely a powerful force as well. But it is only in being being vulnerable that we become truly free. Thanks for reading this morning! Hugs!

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  44. Beautiful description of the internal struggle that we all face…but have difficulty even recognizing. God has truly given you a great message for the world!

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  46. Great post and I’m excited to see that you have encouraged so many people:) I started blogging a couple of weeks ago in hopes to help encourage others in Christ. It is hard getting connected with others. I welcome you to check out my blogs and follow back if your interested. I believe that supporting people on this site helps us all to work hard to encourage others and know that people are reading and finding:) God Bless and keep up the great work for Him in helping others:)

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    • Hi friend! Thank you so much for your affirming words. Congrats on your new site! I will definitely check it out. I think community is one of the blessings of the blogging world. Hugs xx

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  47. So much to like about this post. Pride is such a trip hazard. A fog in our eyes blinding our view of God’s ready grace. Liked the balance of thought provoking and anecdotal material. Onwards and upwards to body-respecting well adjustedness! Hahaha I have been eating too much sticky date pudding, though I am going do make amends in the gym shortly. 🙂

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  49. As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.
    (even though this quote is regarding a man, it may also be applicable to a women. I hope…)

    Relax dear even we (your followers and friends) in no way, shape, or form compare you to God.

    Ah yes the DO IT YOURSELF KIT.
    You’re right when we were kids we remember our teachers saying that ”self-help is the best help” but I would rather say that “GOD’S help is the best help”.

    Now your half face photos are getting more than half face that’s a good sign, I got this.

    Your articles are very insightful. Great I can use this article for my 5 minutes message (a small activity included in our Sunday School).

    GOD bless you.

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  50. The whole notion of trying to do things myself has been an issue for me that I just started facing in this new season. It’s not that I didn’t involve God in my life, it was other people who I refused to seek help from. My mom used to tell me all the time “God works through people” and I would roll my eyes because I would get so much revelation from Him directly. But I’ve come to accept that revelation is a big part of me but relationships are a big part of Him. If I wanted to endeavor to be more like Him, I would have to work on building relationships, trusting people, and in fact, relying on them.

    Good read. Thanks for sharing. I really like how you use your personal experience and intertwine a word from God. I’ve begun to be comfortable doing that myself as I’ve become more comfortable fully opening up to people. It’s amazing how much more effective our ministries can be!

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  52. I really love this! It made me realise just how similar our lives are to a puzzle, sometimes we find it hard to get started but there are times when we can fit all the pieces in the right places. I like to think we should keep living for those moments. Great post xx

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  53. Funny how as a parent, watching your child fail is the most awful experience. Its hard to give them over to God, but necessary to remember that he knows best. Thanks for the reminder!

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  54. This is very insightful, BBB, but I have a sneaking suspicion that sometimes your little puzzle builder may also enjoy just having you near to them, and deep down be unwilling to learn because that might mean they would have to do the puzzle without you. I hope that they grow to have confidence in your constancy.

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    • Thank you so much for these affirming words. I so enjoy spending time with the kids I Nanny for and always end up learning so much from them! I hope they do too! Thanks for reading!

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  56. My experience has been that working through life’s problems requires that we attend to what else is going on in our lives, the lives of those we love and in others . Being at peace with ourselves & moving toward our goals are challenges. Puzzles present a strategy for understanding and coping.. Good post!

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    • Thank you Lori! What great insight. You’re absolutely right: life is a big puzzle and we have to be aware of how, not only ours, but others’ puzzles are going too. And being at peace with ourselves is a huge piece of that. Thanks for reading and this awesome perspective. Hugs and love to you!

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  58. Ohh you have done such a great job in putting thoughts in writing, I was literally laughing when I was reading and felt like somebody was actually telling the whole writing in person 🙂 you have great skills!

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  59. “edges first, then work your way in.”

    Isn’t that true of all of life? May I repeat that? I’d love to use your words as the title of a new essay.

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  60. I LOVE puzzles too and there is one behind me just egging me on – mainly bc it is 750 pieces and I do better 500 and under. LOL!
    I love your analogy and I fall into that I’ll do it myself all the time.
    I do start with the edges also and I sort according to colors and most times I’m very surprised that those two pieces went together b’c it did not seem possible.

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  61. I struggle with this in my life. Especially with the situation I am in now. I don’t feel like God is there for me so therefore why give Him/It something that I should be able to get through myself?

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    • Hi Clarissa, thank you so much for sharing this. Handing over the reigns and trusting in God’s plan and timing is definitely a scary thing. For me, I find peace in knowing that I don’t have to go through these things alone. Thanks for stopping by:) hugs and love to you xox

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  62. Haha I do the exact same thing with my kids when we do puzzles and they NEVER understand what I’m doing! Lol! But love how you worked this in with our Father and our struggles and our addictions. I can just see God shaking his head while I did something wrong for the upteenth, but he was always resdy to forgive 🙂 oh and +1 for the Constanza reference. Seinfeld rocks!

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  63. Such a WONDERFUL post!! Loved every bit. I enjoy almost all sorts of puzzles and oh boy, I so agree with everything you talked about in this post. The analogy is perfect! Sometimes small, insignificant things can make you go into deep thought and I do that, too! Can’t express how much I agree with all that you’ve said here! 😍

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  67. When I first read ‘puzzles’ I thought you meant like crosswords, sudoku etc and I was like “OH MY GOD I LOVE PUZZLES TOO!!??!?!!?” Then I copped you meant jigsaw puzzles haha. I like them too, edges inwards! Always!

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      • Ireland! Wow! That’s awesome ☺️☺️☺️ random question, but have you seen the movie Brooklyn? It was nominated for an academy award and is about Ireland. Really good movie! Enjoy the snow! Xoxo

      • LOVE Brooklyn! It is spot on! Very moving, as in that is how people many moons ago had to emigrate etc but hilarious. There are little things that are real Irish- like when they go to the beach and are changing under their towels haha.
        I will have to think of some other Irish movies similar to Brooklyn and let you know!

      • Thanks! Yeah I actually saw that movie at its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. So it was really cool cuz the cast and director was there and there was a Q and A. But yeah-great movie. I’m Irish Catholic too, so I could definitely relate to bits and pieces of the movie. You’re right the towel scene at the beach was pretty funny!

  69. For me it’s a mixture of pride/habit/guilt. Pride because I’ve just always been pretty self-sufficient. Since 15. Probably related to the German in me.

    Habit because, well, I don’t know that I FEEL pride. This is just how it’s always been. I gave up acting to be a good husband and father. Just a few years ago we finished the long slide into bankruptcy after getting laid off. Lost everything. Still had to hold it together. I’d do something for one of the girls, they’d say thanks, and I’d sigh, “Well, I’m the Dad. It’s what I do.” Probably not the best response, but all I could think of at the time.

    Guilt because I’m often quite sure God is about burned out on me. “You? AGAIN?”

    Mind you, I’ve been in Memphis 4 yeas now after moving here from Toledo for the job, We’re about even again, so things are not bad now. We’re blessed with work, health, and each other.

    Do you ever think it’s trying to find that boundary between what you should do for yourself and what you should leave to God? Maybe that’s part of it.

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    • Hi Jeffrey, Wow, what a journey. I am honored that you would share this with me. Thank you. I’m glad things are on the up and up:) I do think that’s what it is a lot. Because you’re right-we can’t be passive. We have to be active, and God HAS empowered us to do things, but I think at the same time it’s just knowing that ultimately He is in control and that He will help us along the way. I envision a kid learning how to ride a bike. The child is pedaling along, shakey, feeling so great that he’s finally riding, but what he doesn’t realize is that his dad is running alongside holding the bike steady and pushing him along. I don’t know probably uber cheesy, but that’s just my brain for ya. I just want to say, I can safely say that God does NOT think “you again”😒 If anything, He thinks, “oh yay! It’s Jeff again! 😀” at least that what I think:) haha thanks again for your readership and friendship Jeff. Sending hugs xox

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      • That’s a great comparison; not at all cheesy! And I know God actually likes to hear from me, but I know I wouldn’t. 🙂 His capacity is so impossible to fathom…well, I can’t help applying the only standards I really know – mine. Bad Jeff! BAD JEFF!

        I was just reading and responding to a2eternity here. She’s in outpatient for bulimia, and I’ve been reading her and offering encouragement. Tonight I suggested the movie Miracle with Kurt Russell about the US Hokey team that beat the Russians decades ago. A journey of struggle, doubt, and victory. I can’t help thinking it would have to be so inspiring to ANYONE who’s up against it.

        Thanks for your always thoughtful responses!

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