Self-help is defined as the use of one’s own efforts; designed to assist people in achieving things for themselves. (self-care; self-love)
Since the pandemic we have been riddled with ideas and mantras of self-help, self-love, self-care etc. There are books, groups, programs and many other tools that claim to self-help as we navigate through this pandemic. However, as Christians we must be very careful how we process and take on the idea of self-help. Go with me for a minute: what does the Bible say about self and this flesh?
Romans 7:18 tells us, “for I know that nothing good lives within this me, that is my flesh and sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
John 5:30 tells us, “by myself I can do nothing
Acts 17:28 tells us, “for in him we live, and move, and have our being
These scriptures remind us that we are in Christ and Christ is in us. Christ reminds us also in John 15:7, about remaining in Him and His word in us. Therefore, as a Christian, anything “self” contradicts the word of God. I’m in no way saying not to take care of your body, because it’s the temple of the Holy Spirit. However, what I am saying is that there isn’t much that oneself can do for itself without the wisdom and direction of the Holy Spirit. When you begin to place too much trust or confidence or reliance in oneself, one or two things are bound to happen; disappointment and travesty. There is an end to yourself. There is only so much you can do for yourself. There are not enough spa days, shopping, or hanging with friends that can completed you or make you feel satisfied with the life you have been given. There comes a time in your life where only whole reliance in and on God can satisfy the desires and thirst that you have. There is no self-help or self-love that can take the place of God. Often times we buy into the idea of it all because it seems harmless, it’s fun, it gives you something to do, but at the end of the day you are right back where you started. The idea of self-help is that you are looking for self to fulfill a need that only God can fill.
During this pandemic I’ve seen and heard people complain about staying in their own homes, with their own children, with their own husband or wife. Think about it like this, you are complaining about staying in the house you prayed for, the children God blessed you with, and the husband/wife you asked God for. I’m sure, that if you were to think back no more than 10 months ago, you could think of time where you wished you could work from home, or you could spend more time with your children or spend more time with your husband/wife. Granted it may not be under the best circumstance, but the time has come where you now have what you once asked for. It’s an oxymoron. The delusion of self-help, self-love, and self-care is a delusion that is sending so many down a road to destruction. The reason so many are facing depression, and anxiety is because of the delusion of self-help. So many have traded God’s alter with the latest self-help or self-care book. So many have replaced prayer with mediation and yoga, and so many make the decision to look inward instead of looking to God. Guess what, a vacation can’t fix that, time out of your house can’t fix that, not even brunch with your girls or beers with the fellas can fix that. Until you turn your face and heart back to God you will always experience moments of emptiness, hopelessness and despair. In Isaiah 58:11 it says, “and the Lord will guide you always and satisfy your needs in a drought and give you strong bones. You will be like a garden in the spring that never runs dry. This is what God promises when you connect and stay connected to Him. We do not know what tomorrow looks like, but we know God holds tomorrow. We know that God takes care of His own who’s reliance of self is on Him.
I pray you take this word in love and that it blesses your soul. I love you!
Blessings Flow