Attend a graduation ceremony, participate in a work-related seminar, or just join in a break room conversation, and you might hear one of these statements:
- God helps those who help themselves.
- If you can dream it, you can achieve it.
- Success = living life on your own terms.
- Believe in yourself.
- Follow your heart.
- You’ve got this.
Such statements are meant to encourage. But are they based on truth, or should a few be tossed in the trash?
Let’s consider:
Does God help those who help themselves?
Many people believe this idea comes from scripture. But the Bible teaches God helps those who recognize they can’t help themselves. The wisest course of action is to present each troubling situation to him in prayer before attempting any solution (1).
If I can dream it, is it a given I’ll able to achieve it?
Nowhere in the Bible are we told to pursue our dreams. Instead, God tells us to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
Not that God doesn’t place desires for the future on our hearts. He gladly helps us achieve all the good works He’s prepared in advance for us to do.
This is what we need to remember: “A God-given dream is never about position . . . it’s always about contribution.” And it’s through God-ordained contribution that we find satisfaction and fulfillment (2).
Is success a matter of living life on our own terms?
That kind of living most often leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction. Instead, God invites us to live the abundant life on his terms.
Some would say, “But God’s ways are so constrictive!” Actually, his truth provides freedom—freedom from the misery of sin and misguided choices. On the other hand, when we live the way he’s expertly designed for us, we enjoy a myriad of blessings (3).
Should we believe in ourselves?
That puts us in charge, which sounds appealing until you factor in our limited knowledge, imperfect judgment, and inadequate abilities. Due to these restrictions, stress and anxiety become constant companions while we try to keep control over our lives.
How much wiser to trust God who knows all things and can accomplish all things—including the best way to proceed through all our tomorrows.
Does it make good sense to follow our hearts?
No, our hearts are guided by feelings, desires, and emotions, which cannot always be trusted. Just ask Jennifer—Wife #2 of Jack. She believed his stories about self-centered, temperamental Wife #1. Jennifer told herself, Our marriage will be different. But she is now facing divorce herself as Jack’s eyes have wandered toward someone else.
No, we can’t just follow our hearts. We need the guidance of God’s perfect wisdom (4).
Have we got this?
Not really. Life can be turned upside down in a moment—bosses terminate employment, sure investments for retirement turn to ashes, doctors reveal devastating diagnoses. What then? I can’t imagine facing such hardships without God.
How much more encouraging to remember: he’s got this. Numerous experiences of others as well as my own have proven: God always sees us through with his perfect wisdom and almighty strength—whatever we face (5).
Notice how each of these statements in bold print revolves around us—our effort, our planning, our confidence—even though we’re prone to make mistakes and foolish choices. God is the only One with the wherewithal to achieve what’s best for us—100% of the time.
As it happens, all these common statements can be tossed in the trash.
So when someone says, “Believe in yourself ,”or “You’ve got this,” perhaps we could respond with a gentle nudge toward truth:
Actually, I’m eternally grateful that Someone much stronger and wiser than I am is in charge. Experience has taught me, I am much better off trusting in God than in myself.
Notes:
- Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 56:3; 2 Chronicles 14:11; https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/why-god-helps-those-who-help-themselves-is-presumed-to-be-biblical.html
- 1 Timothy 2:22; Ephesians 2:10; https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/women/why-god-doesn-t-necessarily-want-you-to-pursue-your-dreams.html
- Proverbs 12:15; John 8:32; see Alphabet of Joy for examples of such blessings
- Romans 11:33
- Philippians 4:19
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From the Inside Out 
Yes, Nancy, we are always better off when we place our trust in God, knowing He is in control and has the best plans for our lives. If we seek Him first in prayer, we are certain to make fewer bad choices. Loved this reflection!
Blessings!
Spot on truth, Martha. Thank you for your statements affirming the points of the post!
This is beautiful and so true.
In 2017 I had two surgeries under general anesthesia. As the second surgery was about to begin, right when the very young anesthesiologist was about to put a mask on my face, he said: “You stopped breathing during the last surgery. But don’t worry, I got you!”
I immediately started to panic. Then the Lord spoke to my heart. “No, I’ve got you.” Amen!
They really should wait until a person is out of high school before letting them work in an operating room. 😉
Linda, I LOVE your sense of humor! After laughing at your anecdote myself, I read it to my husband. Same reaction! Must say, it’s impressive you can find humor in that double-surgery-stopped-breathing situation. Thank you so much for sharing your experience here!
Laughter is good medicine, so I’m glad you both got a laugh out of that.
I had two more surgeries under general anesthesia the following year, but the surgeon used a different anesthesiologist for those. The surgeon told me that he was not happy with what the first anesthesiologist said. But at least it did explain why my jaw and throat were so sore after the initial surgery. It was a colonoscopy, so I shouldn’t have felt like I had been both strangled and punched in the jaw, afterward!
I used to be a nurse, an LPN. During my nurse’s training, I observed and assisted in a variety of surgical procedures. I loved it! But man, it gets crazy in the OR, sometimes!
Good words and excellent reminders. Thanks, Nancy.
Hope your family is doing well. Haven’t seen John and Colleen since everything started. Miss seeing them. Ron
Ron! How delightful to hear from you. We are doing well; just received Vaccine #1 this week. Hope your and yours are also doing well–BBC too!
Love it. These mindless sayings drive me nuts.
Thanks, Chris! In the final analysis, they are quite meaningless.
wonderful post and quotes Nancy! ❤️
Thank you, Cindy!
You’re so welcome Nancy!
❤️
Yes, the older I get the more I hate going to graduation ceremonies for that very reason. It seems so heartless, setting them off like that clinging to a lie.
Good point, Sheila. That increases the necessity for all of us to speak truth whenever we can.
Great post, Nancy! As usual, you gave your readers lots to think about. How many lies do people hang on to hopelessly? I would much rather hang onto God’s truth! You greatly inspire me; I love reading your posts.
Thank you so much, Kathy, for your encouragement. You are right about the superiority of hanging on to God’s truth–it’s the anchor for our souls!
Wonderful post, Nancy. I must always put my trust in God, He never fails.
Thank you and amen, Pam!
All very good points. I have always been told and believed ” God won’t give you more than you can handle” Then a few years ago I had a realization that God won’t give me more than He can handle. Thanks for this post.
Oh, that’s GOOD, Ruth. Thank you for sharing!
You nailed it Nancy! What is self-esteem without FIRST having God-esteem?
Thank you, Kevin. You raise a good point about the preeminence of God-esteem over self-esteem. Good truth!
Great point!! It reminds me so much of self-centered living with those quotes…praying more people would come to believe in the real truth and hope.
Thank you, Alicia. I pray with you–every day!
your last line is wonderful!! and one that will stick with me. Such a good point
Thank you, Jean!
Thank you for debunking these cliches, Nancy. Some of my biggest pet peeves were in your list.
You’re welcome, Annie. Honored to be a debunker! Some of these sayings do get irritating after awhile. I heard versions of two of them during the Super Bowl game last night. (May have been during the commercials!)
This is a great post, Nancy. If we look to Him and His Word regarding anything that comes into our lives we cannot go wrong. I am reminded of Romans 11:36: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”
That verse comes from one of my favorite passages, Romans 11:33-36. Those truths have ministered to me again and again over the years. Isn’t it wonderful to live with that foundation of confidence in our God and Savior and his Word?!
Another great one! And I’m so glad that HE has got it… because I’m apt to make a mess of things!!
Oh, me to, Sheila. I hate to think where I’d be without him as my Shepherd!
Nancy, good morning! I’m a little late to the party {life happens!} but I love at how you’ve debunked these common myths and pithy sayings with the truth of God’s Word.
I’m off to read it yet again. Oh so good!
Bless you!
Praise God you found HIS goodness here, Linda, worthy of a second read. I am honored!
Nancy,
It’s always better to let God’s word have the final say so. We truly have to fight the Humanism with God’s Holy Spirit.
In Christ,
Gary
Amen, Gary. It’s such a comfort to know we can’t go wrong with God’s Word because it is absolute truth!
Catchingup on your posts today! Wonderful words of Biblical Truth. I admire you faithfulness in writing.
Thank you, Sam. Praising God you found wonder here. Writing is a very fulfilling activity for me–plus it’s fun. Like putting together a puzzle, only with words!
The most fun I had writing was when I was writing Anne Frank. Yep, I would read a chapter of her Diary and although we were decades apart it was fun to write to her about similar issues. One thing I got put of it was thinking how many Anne Franks there are in Asian, African countries. I wrote non stop for 8 hours and it was really fun. I had to proofread. My Masters professor loved it. I do know how much fun it can be. Keep writing and researching.
That does sound like a interesting exercise! Wouldn’t Anne have loved a discussion group, to consider with others the issues she addressed in her journal?
Nancy, I think she always thought she might get rescued. It was so much fun. Sounds like you have fun doing the blog. Sorry your having technical issues. I can rail with you.
Sam
Yes, Nancy it would She expressed thoughts and ideas way beyond her years.
Sam