Self Help Is An Oxymoron

Self help is an oxymoron. It’s impossible to help ourselves without the hand of our Creator. Self help may cause success in one area of our life but many times it will lead to problems in another. The Bible tells us that the outcome of trusting in the advice of mankind will make us tired and curse our life.

“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. (Jer 17:5)

“All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you.(Isaiah 47:13)

True Help

True help comes when we decide to live life God’s way. God is referred to as our Helper 15 times in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, those who believe in Jesus’ life death and resurrection are given the Holy Spirit to live within us as our Helper.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.”(John 14:26)

This verse explains that the Holy Spirit will teach us by calling to mind Biblical passages we have read. We may be at a crossroads as to what to do in a particular situation when a verse of Scripture or a Christian song lyric comes to mind and is the perfect guidance for us in that moment.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.”(Ps 32:8)

Think of it this way. Many people do research on highly successful people desiring their advice. They then utilize the system of the successful person to gain a similar outcome. But have we forgotten that this is actually what the Lord Jesus Christ is offering us. What can be more powerful than healing the sick, casting out demons, multiplying loaves of bread/fish and raising from the dead? Nothing! We should take this to heart when we are deciding who to gain wisdom from.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”(Ps 47:13)

Jesus literally told us that our prayer life will become powerful by listening, accepting and then acting on His teachings. He is the only role model we should have. No other success guru or life coach has powerfully overcome the problems of life and death then lived to tell about it!

Self Help Leads To Problems

The secular way always lead to problems- Always! Yet we prefer to focus on an influencers success. But if we had the opportunity to dig deep into the life of any secular success story, we would realize that along with the success there is a major failure that they had to deal with in their life. There is no real success, hope or security outside of God’s path.

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”(Matt 7:24-27)

Fear of Dependance On The Unseen God

It can invoke fear to our secular minds, to depend on what we don’t see- God- instead of what we see. Many of us pride ourselves on being self sufficient and because of this we feel that it is up to us to make and accumulate all our retirement money and living expenses. But the Lord says, if we tithe 10% of our income He will bless us. In fact, He says He will throw open the floodgates of heaven to bless us.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”(Mal 3:10)

We are encouraged to trust God more than we trust our money and not to “love money” because the love of it is the root of all evil. Money can cause greater problems than it solves.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”(1 Tim 6:10)

We are instructed that God will provide for His followers even during hardship, so don’t sweat it.

“In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.”(Ps 37:19)

However, just to put this in perspective, we aren’t supposed to be lazy either. The Bible tells us that those who do not work do not eat, therefore we must put forth effort to provide for our family, but our safety net is not our money, it is God.

“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”(2 Thes 3:10)

If disaster strikes, God will provide. If we are prioritizing the mental, emotional and physical care of our children over maximizing our earnings, God will make sure we have enough of everything.

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”(1 Tim 5:8) The word provide in this verse is more than things purchased with money.

God tells us not to store up riches on earth rather to store up riches in heaven by helping others. What is more important that raising a soul for Christ? This surrendered life will fill us with joy and anticipation of His provision because we are within the protective covering of God.

Finding Joy In The Lord

Finding joy in a relationship with Jesus seems difficult at first. We think to ourselves, how can we be happy and joyfilled with our albeit real God who is invisible?

The joy of the Lord is our strength” (Neh 8:10)

How might God be our strength and joy? When we have decided to walk in His ways we are protected. This brings Him joy. When we decide to go it alone and do as we feel is best, we are in enemy territory and it is optional if God will help us or not. He may allow the consequence of our poor choice to affect us so we realize it was a poor choice.

It was Jesus’ eventual joy to know that His death opened a conduit, if you will, for God the Father to hear our prayers and answer them. He covered us. Therefore God the Father places us in the Throne room spiritually as a son/daughter just like Jesus. Because of Jesus’ covering, we worthy of answered prayer as true followers of Christ.

In the book of Hebrews is says, “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Therefore, when we believe and follow Jesus and place our faith in His omnipotence, knowing He already accomplished all that He has promised, we will remain strong. We will not crumble and weaken in our problems. We can go on to live in joy, knowing that nothing escapes His notice and He always helps His followers by answering their prayers.

“The Lord’s eyes move to and fro throughout the earth to help those whose hearts are completely His.” (2 Chron 16:9)

Won’t you join me in surrendering to Christ this year? It is the only secure way to live.

Food For Thought,

Lisa