I grew up hearing “God helps those who help themselves.” I thought it was true. I took from that phrase that God wanted me to take care of the little things and go to Him for the big things. “Try first,” it seemed to say, “help myself first, and then if I can’t handle it, turn to God.”
As a little girl, I feared if I came to Him too quickly, He might say, “You haven’t tried hard enough. Go back and try again.”
It reminded me of the time I couldn’t figure out a math question and I approached the teacher for help. She responded, “You can do it. Go back to your seat and try again.” I can’t remember if I figured it out or not but I doubt I was eager to seek her help again. How did I know when I had tried hard enough? Who could tell me?
Maybe that also seemed to communicate something similar about God. Try to help myself … be tense wondering if I’ve tried hard enough … and then if I still can’t figure it out, ask God.
I’m so grateful “God helps those who help themselves” is a lie and Scripture actually says the opposite. Let’s look at a verse that might not initially seem to tell us that.
Romans 8:26: “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words.”
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I notice there’s no definition of “weakness.”
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There’s no limits for what kind of weaknesses He will help us with.
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There’s no “big” or “little” weakness referred to.
The verse refers to every and any kind of weakness. God is not picky. The Holy Spirit helps and prays for anything even with groans too deep for words. And the Father doesn’t reprimand His Spirit with, “Haven’t you learned yet? I don’t need to hear about small weaknesses. Tell Kathy she can handle that herself.” Absolutely not!
Hebrews 4:16 indicates the same thing: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Again, no definitions of what kind of “need.” Abundant grace is available for all and any kind of need.
God doesn’t ever pour contempt on our weaknesses. In a strange way, our weakness can bring a positive response of seeing our need of an Almighty God who cares about every area of our lives—seemingly significant or insignificant. Only on earth is there a differentiation of “big” or “little” needs. But in God’s perspective, there isn’t. The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Again, there is no differentiation of the difficulty of the “thing.”
There’s a purpose in us needing Him for any and all needs: we turn to Him more often. We concentrate on Him more often. We learn to abide more often. If the need were limited God would respond to, it would also limit the times we would turn to Him. And it would limit His glory being revealed because we receive the glory for doing things we’re capable of in our own power–or that we try mighty hard to conquer on our own.
The same encouragement applies to when we don’t know what to ask for. After we ask, God never says, “Wrong! Too bad! You didn’t ask for the right thing or in the right way.” Absolutely not!
Our tendency to think God will reject our plea for a seemingly “little” thing could spring from someone shaming us as a child if we said the wrong thing or asked for something in the wrong way…or with an imperfect attitude.
Sometimes I even told my children, “Get your attitude straightened out before you come to me with that.” I was wrong to say that. If they are coming to me for help, then whatever they offer me can be worked with. Psalm 103:14 says, “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.” Why? Because He’s the One who created us from dust!
God created us from dust with weaknesses and needs for His glory! He could have created us capable of doing everything on our own and then leave us behind shaking the dust off His hands, saying, “Oh good, I don’t have to deal with that any more. One more thing on my to-do list taken care of.”
You and I may feel that way but He knew He was creating us to need Him. He wants fellowship with us through us seeking Him. And He is glorified as He comes through for us. No matter the need.
So what do you think about “God helps those who help themselves”? Please share what you’re thinking in the comment section below and let’s chat about it. I want to hear your perspective.
Oh, my, does this ever resonate for me, as well, Kathy! It’s that old see-saw of my works vs. my faith — faith that He will not reject me if I bring some “silly” little thing to Him. Growing up with the “you can do better” burden on me, I often mistake my mother’s voice for His Voice. Hearing His loving invitation to bring all my burdens, big and small, to Him is difficult at times. But His demonstrations of love for me and all that concerns me draw me closer and help me “hear” Him and give me the freedom to bring everything to Him.
Thank you, Deb, for commenting because I’m very sure many others relate to what you’re saying, as do I. I love your “see-saw” visual description. We go back and forth and it can feel discouraging and of course those “voices” from the past interpose over God’s voice. Your wisdom of “His loving invitation” is so important for us to hear. Please continue to share with us your insights as you continue thinking about these things. Thank you!
I’ve been told this and heard this saying countless times and it does nothing to the soul. It just makes you feel worst, at least for me, like I’m not doing enough or trying hard enough. Really!? What helped me change my view on this was a video by Michael Chriswell, where he too denounced this saying. He said “God helps those who obey Him.” I was like he’s right, that makes more sense and is so much better than the whole “God helps those who help themselves” mumbo-jumbo. Thank you!
Hi Essence. Thank you so very much for these wonderful insights. And I love the comment by Michael Chriswell. And I wonder if we could expand it to be “God helps those who obey and even those who call upon Him for help to obey.” In other words, He even empowers us to want to obey and seek Him for help. There is so much wrapped up in this whole concept. I’m glad we’re exploring it. I’d love to hear your further thoughts, even if you disagree with my “expansion”. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. It’s so fun to dialogue and seek God in this way. God bless you.
More so, God helps those whose ‘desire’ is to obey Him. God helps those who call on Him. It’s not one requirement you must meet in order for God to help you. He helps those who others have called on Him to help. That phrase, God helps those who help themselves and variations of it, in time of need or any time is discouraging and does what the enemy wants, keeps us from seeking not only help but fellowship. With God and others. It also keeps people from helping others. I hear it often from people wanting something from you to help you. Buy this, go to this seminar, do this, donate. So very sad and discouraging to be kicked when you feel in desperate need and reach out.
Thank you so much for your wise comments. How true; how true. I know that your sharing will encourage my readers and I appreciate it. I love the way you deepened the ideas about that phrase by pointing out how people often use the phrase to get something. I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you for that! God bless you!