The Unseen Dangers of Self-Reliance
I still remember the day I realized that my greatest strengths could also be my greatest weaknesses. It was a humbling experience, one that taught me a valuable lesson about the dangers of self-reliance.
The story of Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, comes to mind. Peter was known for his boldness and fearlessness, declaring his unwavering allegiance to Jesus even in the face of danger. But despite his bravado, Peter ultimately failed to stand by Jesus’ side, denying him three times before the rooster crowed.
I see a bit of myself in Peter’s story. As the oldest child, I was often expected to set an example and take charge. While these traits have served me well in many areas of my life, they can also be a recipe for disaster. When I rely too heavily on my own abilities and strengths, I begin to forget that everything I have is a gift from God.
Jesus reminds us that “what do you have that you have not been given?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Our gifts, abilities, and intelligence are not our own doing, but rather a blessing from above. Yet, it’s easy to get caught up in our own successes and accomplishments, forgetting to give credit where credit is due.
The apostle Paul puts it beautifully in Philippians 2:6-8, describing Jesus as one who “did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.”
So what about you, dear Christian? What comes easily to you? Is it your charisma, your intelligence, or your talent? Remember to thank God for these gifts and use them not just for your own gain, but for the benefit of others. Let’s bring glory to our Lord by serving others with humility and gratitude.
And when we do stumble, as we inevitably will, let’s remember that God remains faithful. He can use our failures to refine us, to make us stronger and more dependent on him. As Jesus told Peter, “When you return to me, strengthen your brothers.” May we learn to lean on God’s strength rather than our own, and may we bring honor and glory to him in all that we do.
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