Many movies, TV shows, social media posts, and to some extent schools, tell the partial lie: “You can achieve anything you want, if you just believe in yourself.”
The statement is meant to be motivational; maybe it’s even meant to encourage perseverance. In most cases it leads to disappointment, anger, and blame.
If these dreams and aspirations do not eventuate, as frequently happens, two conclusions are likely.
The first is that the person feels as though they have failed. They tend to become disappointed with themselves and label themselves as a failure with consequent demotivation.
The second outcome is often a conviction that someone has thwarted the desires, plans and dreams so a scapegoat is needed; someone to blame for the lost dreams.
A belief in ourselves that we can achieve anything that we desire is a false hope. We even weaponise Bible verses to support this falsity. Some claim, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” As a support for “I can achieve whatever I desire.”
I would suggest this is a wrong understanding of the totality of Paul’s statement. His context is “I have learned in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need”.
Then he concludes – “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” in other words, “it is God who enables me to rejoice, no matter what my situation.”
Hope in our own desires and efforts is not sufficient. So, what is the belief that will give the hope we need?
Blessings
Brian