Self-Help books ain’t Helping

Saturday, June 1^st 2024

It’s 4 am on a Saturday and I am fresh off of sleep and dreams, but I woke up thinking about what I am in search of. I’ve been trying to read all these self-help book as of late, but I always start and never finish and this morning, just now, I understood that all that I am searching for is in God. That seems so simple to some but honestly, I wanted to feel something different. I want to be someone different and the process of getting to her just seemed distant. So, I kept picking up books thinking that there was going to be one that clicked for me, and I was going to have this Ah-Ha moment and switch over, but process doesn’t work like that. And I think I was in search of that thing you need when you don’t feel like doing anything, when you are afraid of failing but want to move past fear when you are not totally convinced of what the new you will get you or if people will embrace you, but you BECOME her anyway. 

Discipline.

Faith.

God.

When people used to ask what’s your why? I was one who never really sold on the idea that you could have this on key thing being a reason to keep me going but I needed something bigger and right now its frustration. That is my why. To get out of this space where I feel stuck between who I used to be and who I am becoming. I wake up every day thinking there has to be more! And there is but in order for me to get there. I have to yield…surrender… my plans for God’s plans and nothing else. Surrender my fear for God’s Faith and nothing else. My will for God’s will and nothing else. I think I was sold this idea that I have control when really what I have is CHOICE and that is a powerful thing. I can choose to get on board with what God is doing in my life or not. His word doesn’t return unto Him void. It will do just what He said but I can either be Saul or David in this process. 

You know what else? I don’t want to be the children of Israel either. God used Moses to deliver these ninjas from Pharaoh only for them to turn around and request a KING. To put themselves right back into a situation they were delivered from! God spent all that time being God, taking care of them for them to only seek refuge in a KING. And honestly, that is how we be acting when we return to the very thing God delivered us from. What else does He have to do to show you that He is on your side?! And honestly, it’s not about God being God it’s about us being us and not believing what God said about us. Which again, is why self-help books are not working for me in this season. ONLY His word can provide the transformation I seek. So, if you find yourself in this space. Go look at Saul’s story. He always seems to play the supporting character to David, and we all want to be like David and slay the Giant but honestly, most of us are Saul. In positions we didn’t ask for and not in agreement with who God has called us to be because we don’t see what God sees in us. Just know, if you are reading this HE CHOSE you. You are alive for a reason. Created for this time for a reason.  Don’t take my word for it. Take his. I’ll drop scripture references below because WE can’t afford to stay here.

Until next time

Ashley Lacheá 

Scripture References:

Saul’s Story- 1 Samuel 8 (for context) then 1 Samuel 9- 15 

• Saul’s full story continues through 1 Samuel 31 but you can read the about chapters to understand what it looks like to never come in agreement with who God created you to be. You always end up malfunctioning (Depressed, Anxious, Jealous, Angry, Frustrated)

‘“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;” ‘

Jeremiah 1:5a NIV

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ‘

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. ‘

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

‘For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. [Rom 1:20] ‘

Ephesians 2:10 AMP

‘So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, Making it bear and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, [2 Cor 9:10] ‘

Isaiah 55:10-11 AMP

‘But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ‘

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

‘Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. ‘

Romans 12:2 NLT