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 