I Said to Myself: Overcoming False Beliefsናሙና

Be Humble

 False Belief: I don’t need anyone’s help to succeed. I got this!

● Caution: self-sufficiency 

For many of us, success goes hand in hand with self-sufficiency. Anything, we are often told, can be achieved through hard work—which usually implies work done on one’s own.

For those raised in the United States, the idea of independence may recall iconic stories about “rugged individuals”—pioneers, mavericks, or resourceful immigrants who built a life on their own terms. But while bravery and perseverance are valuable traits that help us make our way in life, these stories can idealize autonomy, instilling unrealistic expectations of attaining our goals solo—and these narratives also overlook the fact that we benefit enormously from the help of others. 

We see this in Paul's life.  He was once known as Saul of Tarsus, and persecuted Christians.  Then, as told in Acts chapter 9, Saul has an encounter with Jesus Christ as he was on his way to Damascus to pick up letter he requested addressing how Christians were breaking the law.  He has a conversion experience with Christ and becomes Paul.  

While yet in Damascus, Paul begins to share the Gospel stating that Jesus is truly the Son of God.  He goes to Jerusalem to continue spreading the Gospel, but finds himself with the resistance of some believers that did not believe he was truly converted (Acts 9:26). It was Barnabas who brought Paul to the apostles and vouged for Paul stating he had preached boldly in Damascus (Acts 9:27). 

Later Paul is sent back to his hometown Tarsus and it is in Acts 11 verses 25-26 where we see Barnabas seek him out.

"Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 

How can anyone hope to get strong by avoiding healthy challenges and running away from things they “can’t handle”? We need to face our fears where they rear their ugly heads: in relationship and true accountability.  Let yourself be loved—and love back. Then, like the child who is well-loved and happily independent, you can sally forth boldly in the world, and live an adventurous life, without having to call home every minute —yet having a home to call in the center of God's will for your life.

Remember: If you find yourself struggling with self-sufficiency by saying, “I don’t need anyone’s help to succeed. I got this,” make this declaration:

● “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,” (2 Corinthians 3:5 ESV)

● “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 ESV)

● “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)