We all look for someone to talk to or ask help from when we're in trouble. While dependable and trustworthy friends are a gem when we're stuck in a rut, running to the wrong person may mean staying stuck in a rut for a longer time or worse, digging a deeper pit where we could get trapped.
We wouldn't want to be in that kind of position.
This article is meant to help everybody looking for help in getting out of a sticky situation. God wants all of us out of the pits we are in, so that we can run free towards the fulfillment of His will for us. Making the right connections is key to doing that.
And so, without further ado, here are the kinds of people we shouldn't run to for help in getting out of a rut.
1) The gossip
Gossips are a big help in making anybody stay in a rut, with additional problems. These people may seem to care, but in reality all they care about is getting the latest bit of juicy, personal information that they can spread to others in the spirit of helping themselves have fun, not helping someone in need.
Proverbs 20:19 warns us about such people, who will without a thought slander and spread rumors about others:
"He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips."
Proverbs 11:13 tells us we should choose trustworthy people instead:
"A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."
2) The self-righteous
Self-righteous people are quick to point out the little mistakes that others do while they ignore the enormous errors they themselves commit. They are quick to judge others, and are so slow in hearing anybody, if ever they would even attempt to listen.
These people might have some form of knowledge over something, but their self-exalting and condemning nature won't help anybody who's stuck in a rut. These people will just blame the person for getting stuck, instead of helping them get out of the trouble they're in.
Jesus says of such people in Matthew 7:3-5,
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
3) The opportunist
Probably the worst person to run to when in trouble, opportunists see opportunities for self-enhancement and self-enrichment at every turn, even at the expense of others. When these people see an opportunity to gain money, properties, possessions, popularity, or anything that catches their fancy, they won't hesitate to get it.
Judas Iscariot was an opportunistic man. John 12:1-5 tells us that he got mad at Mary for anointing Jesus' feet with a costly perfume, arguing that it could've been sold and the money given to the poor. Verse 6 tells us the real reason for his angry response:
"This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it."
If we are to run to any self-centered greedy person like that when we're in trouble, it's very likely that we'll have more trouble coming to us. Not only do we stay stuck inside the rut we're in, we also have to deal with the fact that someone is trying to con us into giving them something they want.
