Is Self-help Really Helpful?
Ever felt unhappy? Unsatisfied with who you are? Unfulfilled, as if something was missing? Each and every person on this earth has, and many a time, people will lean on books that proclaim to be able to help them become better versions of themselves. These books are usually titled, “Follow these Basic Rules to Better Living”, “The Key Essentials to Loving Oneself”, and “How to Love Yourself, Truly”. Anywhere you look, you can find similar books because the market for such a book is huge! Who doesn’t want to be given the blueprint to happiness? I’ve even asked myself if it was really possible that I could find happiness and truly begin loving myself by reading a self-help book that tells me that I’m the one in control of my own happiness. Sure, for some, self-help books can work; however, I know a better way. There is a book that provides us with everything we need, and it’s called, the Holy Bible.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Self-help books can be helpful; however, we shouldn’t rely on ourselves to create our own happiness. True happiness comes from the Lord (Romans 15:13). When we begin to rely on our own understanding, we push God aside and say, ‘It’s okay Lord, I can make myself happy, I don’t need you.’ But isn’t it the Lord who provides happiness? Isn’t He our ultimate supplier for all that is good? Then why, should we turn to a book that tells us that all we have to do is follow a few steps to become happy?
It is okay to encourage yourself, in fact, you are called to encourage yourself and others (Thessalonians 5:11), but it’s better when you trust in the Lord, instead of relying on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). When you are feeling worthless and need to be inspired, call on the Lord. Deep prayer is an effective tool that leaves one in a sense of peace and brings one closer to the living God. We are told to cast all of our worries and cares on the Lord and He will sustain us, He will never let His righteous men be shaken (Psalm 55:22). When we realize that God has everything we need, we will understand that we don’t have to do anything but pray. We will understand that a close relationship with Him will straighten our paths and bring us closer to happiness. A lot of times, we are unhappy and feel as if we are missing something because we don’t have the Lord in our hearts.
Philippians 4: 6-9 says, don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
We don’t need “self-help” books to make us better versions of ourselves. The Bible has everything we need. Instead of reading beauty magazines and articles that tells us what to eat to be healthy, eat the word of God, drink from His cup, and become truly full. Instead of reading books to make us happy, find Joy in the Lord, the supplier of all. Instead of taking medications to dull the numbness inside, allow the Lord’s spirit to fill you with all that is good. Instead of relying on yourself to be happy, rely on God, as we will always fail ourselves, but He never will. We already have the answers to our daily problems. We can find it in the Bible. We can find it in the Lord. So, the next time you decide to be self-sufficient and fix your own problems, remember that there is a God greater than those problems. And the next time you decide to read a book to help you with your problems, remember that there is a book greater than all other books. Why rely on self-help when we can rely on God’s help?
