Lies We Believe Part 1: I'm Helpless

Introduction

I was reading a book by Jennie Allen called “Get out of Your head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts”. It’s A good book aimed at women focusing in on those toxic thoughts that spiral out of control.

In the book she states that here friend, a licensed therapist, told her that every lie we tell ourselves is rooted in one of these three lies.

I’m helpless.

I’m worthless.

I’m unlovable.

As I read I thought wow I wonder if that is true. I know I too have had negative thoughts like that

So as where I don’t remember by Psych 101 class enough to tell you if that is what is being taught. I did feel it was important enough to sit down and have the conversation. So for the next 3 weeks wee are going to look at these three lies. Maybe you are believing this about yourself right now.

I’m Helpless

At first you may never have said to yourself I am helpless or maybe you have. I feel so helpless

I can’t change.

I am dependent on _________________.

I’m tapped out.

I’m unable to…

I can’t do this anymore.

I am weak.

I’m ready to give up.

Do those hit a little closer to home?

Maybe you feel like everything you are doing is a waste of time.

When we say we are usually not saying we are like a little baby unable to get up and pee for yourself. Though there are times in lives we especially as the body ages...

But when we say I’m Helpless for majority of people that isn’t what they mean.

They really mean that it feels like they have no power over their own circumstances and they way they behave.

The reality is there is a great deal of things that we are helpless on:

World hunger - I might be able to feed one but not stop a problem like that.

Governments going to war - Even Jesus said there will be wars and threats of wars in Matthew 24.

Rising Health care or housing cost - though we can choose who we vote for in this country.

But honestly when you listen to that Lie is that what you are talking about. NO, If it was you would take a call and join an active group to work on whatever.

Your Bible translation may translate a word for the oppressed as helpless. Often speaking about the poor. and You might fit into that category. But that isn’t usually what we are talking about either.

We are usually talking about those feelings you get when you are ready to give up, tapped out, weak, unable to change. A victim.

And in our society Victim is a positive word. Everyone is a victim of someone else. You’re a victim of white, males, the 10%. The Mexicans who stole your job. AI.

You name it there is something to blame and you are helpless to control it because it is some one else fault. I don’t want to argue politics with you about truth or lies sold to you by the media and elected officials and corporations.

But all of these things lead us to feel like we are Helpless in the world we live in.

We have to choose to believe what God says.

So how do we refute the thought and lie that I’m helpless, ready to give up, tapped out, weak, unable to change?

We have to choose to believe in what God says.

That’s right it is a choice. You have to believe that you are a co-heir with Christ.

Romans 8:17 NIV

17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Because God has made us his children we have became His beneficiaries. With all the privileges, and responsibilities of that position. What belongs to Jesus also belongs to us. Glory, Riches (in heaven) and authority.

That may not mean that you can change a fallen world, Christ has died to do that and we await his return so that a new heaven and a new earth may be established.

But you do have the power over yourself.

You are no longer a slave to your sin. The lies of a helpless existence where everyone else responsibility and you have no power of your own to change your existence is something that you no longer have to hold to. You no longer have to keep to.

Romans 6:15-23 tells us as much.

Philippians 4:10–13 NIV

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Tells us that we can in no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in be content and live according to the one who gives us strength.

2 Corinthians 4:8–9 M:BCL

8 As it is, there’s not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we’re not much to look at. We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, 9 but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.

2 Corinthians 10:5 M:BCL

5 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.

We have to come back to God.

It’s God who will give me the strength to be who and what I need to be.

We may fall, but God helps us to stand back up and keep going.

Isaiah 25:4 NASB95

4 For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.

Next Steps

I know it is tempting to listen to the lies and the struggles of life that you are powerless. You can’t do anything. That you will always be a victim. That nothing you attempt is valid. But that just isn’t true. You are able to choose through the power of Christ to be better than you were yesterday. You are able to stand firm in the face of oppression because the King of Kings stands with you.

You are able to conquer that problem you have because you are going to focus on what is

Philippians 4:8 NIV

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Bibliography

https://www.faithfullystepping.com/3-lies-i-buy-into-that-show-what-i-believe-about-god

Allen, Jennie. Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts