Overcoming the Lies Within: I'm Helpless

November 28th, 2023
by Michael Ryan Stotler

In the pages of Jennie Allen's book, "Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts," she unveils a profound insight shared by a licensed therapist—every lie we tell ourselves is rooted in one of three fundamental falsehoods: "I'm helpless," "I'm worthless," and "I'm unlovable." In this series, we delve into these lies, uncovering the truth that can break their power. This week, we confront the notion of helplessness.

I'm Helpless:

Breaking Down the Lie:

The lie of helplessness often manifests as thoughts like "I can't change," "I'm dependent on others," or "I'm tapped out." It's that feeling of being unable to control one's circumstances or behaviors, a sentiment many of us can relate to at various points in life.
The reality is, there are indeed aspects of life over which we have no control—global issues like world hunger, political conflicts, or rising healthcare costs. However, the lie of helplessness goes deeper, often making individuals feel like victims, blaming external factors for their struggles.

Choosing to Believe God's Truth:

To counteract the feeling of helplessness, we must choose to believe what God says about us. Romans 8:17 reminds us that as children of God, we are co-heirs with Christ, sharing in His sufferings and glory. While we may not be able to change the world, we have power over ourselves.
Scriptural Reassurance:

Philippians 4:10–13: We can find contentment and strength in any circumstance through Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:8–9: Despite troubles, we're not demoralized or broken, for God hasn't left our side.
2 Corinthians 10:5: With God's tools, we can dismantle warped philosophies and align our thoughts with Christ.

Returning to God for Strength:

Isaiah 25:4 describes God as a defense for the helpless, a refuge from the storm. When we feel helpless, turning to God provides the strength needed to endure, stand back up, and keep going.

Next Steps:

It's tempting to succumb to the lies that paint us as powerless victims. But through the power of Christ, we can choose to be better than yesterday. We can stand firm, conquer problems, and focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

The lie of helplessness crumbles when faced with the empowering truth of God's Word. Recognizing that we are co-heirs with Christ gives us the strength to overcome challenges and dispel the notion that we are forever bound by circumstances. Let's choose to believe in our identity in Christ and reject the lie that we are helpless.