Can you do everything on your own?

We can do nothing without relying on the strength of the Lord.  Nothing. All good things come from the Lord (James 1:17), and this includes our physical, mental and spiritual strength. 

I used to think that I could do everything on my own, but I have realized that this was just an illusion.

But why is this such a frequent thought across the world? Why do people think that they are doing everything under their own strength?

Once again, the Bible has the answer: 

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” (Psalm 10:4)

Pride.  People are prideful. Never giving credit to the Lord for all that He has done and all that He will do.  Jesus holds all things together.  (He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17) But do people give Him the praise, thanks and glory that He deserves?  Most often, I think the answer is a resounding “no”.

Have you ever stopped to really think about the sin of pride?  Pride tells us we can do things all on our own, we don’t need anyone else.  Pride tells us we don’t need to pray.  Pride tells us we don’t need God’s help.  Pride tells us that we can do what we want, when we want.  Pride tells use that we are enough.  Pride tells us that we are good without His help.   

But pride is wrong. Oh how very wrong pride is.

And, it is never more obvious that pride is wrong than when a chronic health condition or insurmountable problem arises in our lives.  Then, when faced with circumstances that we cannot possibly manage on our own, we realize that we are only as good as God has made us.  We owe everything to Him.  We are made in His image, and our bodies house His Spirit in this temple He has created. Without the breath of life that He has bestowed upon each one of us, we are really only dust. Nothing. Without God, we are empty and weak.  

How then, can so many go through life without giving Him the credit and glory that He so rightly deserves?  How then, can some people imagine that they do everything without His guidance and strength?  Is it because their own pride has deceived them and closed their minds to the reality of God’s constant providence? 

Eventually, I believe everyone will realize how empty pride is, and why having pride of self is a sin.  Pride is an empty thing that fades away with pain and tribulation. But does God’s strength ebb?  No.  Does God get weak?  No.  Does God need help, ever? No.  God is our mighty fortress.  He is truly our strength.  And it is only because He has made us in His image that we can even think to have pride.  Our bodies are His wonderful creation.  Our world is His exquisite work of art.  

We should give thanks every day for the extraordinary blessings and gifts that surround us, and pray unceasingly for His help and strength in our lives to help with the trials and pain and tribulations that life inevitably brings. We need not fear our own weaknesses, because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

God is our strength (2 Samuel 22:33).  He is our ever present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He allows us to shelter in His shadow (Psalm 36:7). He is our everything. 

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Thank you God.