Overcoming Helplessness
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13
God overrode the learned helplessness of the Israelites and saved them from Egypt. Twelve spies were sent into the Promised Land. Imagine the dismay of the Israelites when 10 spies came back with a discouraging report: “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:31). Now what? Their present circumstances were bleak, their prospects seemed hopeless, and they felt helpless because they were unable to do anything about it—or so they thought.
However, two of the spies didn’t see it that way. Joshua and Caleb saw the land as exceedingly good (see 14:7). They could see with the eyes of faith that their enemies’ protection was gone and that the Lord was with His people (see verse 9). God would win their battles for them. For their part, the Israelites had to overcome their fears by trusting God and obeying His Word.
Many people are defeated because of childhood messages they received from the world or from careless parents. You can’t do that; you better let me do it. You’re not big enough. You’ll never amount to anything. It has been estimated that 95 percent of the world’s population is pessimistic by nature. News anchors report the bad news and seldom share the good news. Three news helicopters and 15 police cars will follow a fugitive in a car pursuit for hours, but nobody is following the good guys and gals who set about their day encouragers others. Meteorologists predict a 35 percent chance for rain but seldom say there is a 65 percent chance for sunshine.
The world is obliterated with blessings snatchers. “Oh, I see you bought a new car. I bought one like that. It was a lemon.” “So, you became a new Christian. Well, now you have an enemy you never had before!” There are also naysayers who claim it can’t be done. Motivational speakers try to shed some light with clever little jingles: “If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you like to win, but think you can’t, it is almost certain you won’t. If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost, for out in the world we find that success begins with a fellow’s will. It’s all in the state of mind. . . . Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man. But soon or late the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”
Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t—you’re right.” There is some truth to that axiom, but you don’t overcome helplessness by the power of positive thinking, as beneficial as that may be for the natural man. You would still be limited by your own natural abilities. Christians aren’t motivated by hype. They are motivated by Pentecostal vision that believes with God all things are possible, because if God wants it done, it can be done. “For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37, NLT), even the pregnancy of a virgin. You overcome helplessness by the power of God and by believing the truth.
Questions to Consider:
Did the 10 spies walk by faith or by sight? What is the difference?
What kind of vision did Joshua and Caleb have in that same situation?
Why are there so many blessing-snatchers and naysayers?
How for you is God an ever-present help in time of need?
What situations in your life right now do you need to see through the eyes of faith rather than through eyes of fear and helplessness?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.