Undoing Self-Sufficiency
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.”
I know, it sounds weird. We’re supposed to be self-sufficient right? That’s the goal we are all expected to be working on - financial, relational, physical, and/or emotional independence. Anything less means we are deficient or immature, or we haven’t made it yet. At least, this is what society tells us. But, it is inevitable that we all will hit points in which we realize full independence is neither possible nor desirable; we all want someone to lift us up when we are weak, who catches us when we fall, who we can depend on at all times.
This reminds me of the popular phrase “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” which is not only an incorrect manipulation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, but also wildly inaccurate, in my opinion. Anyone who’s experienced any painfully difficult tragedy or season understands that God will allow you to get to a place of dependence and reliance on HIM, rather than on yourself. Some people will call it a breaking, others may refer to it as a season of submission, but regardless of what you call it, the goal is the same: replacing self-sufficiency with sufficiency through God.
The Gospel is antithetical to the ways of the world. At its core, the story of Jesus and the cross is foolish by any worldly measure: death brings life, submission begets exaltation, faith, not works, yields redemption and justification. If we say we are Christians and consider it a part of our identity, well, the way we act, speak, think, and generally live our lives is going to, or should, seem a bit foolish too. Losing our lives to save our lives doesn’t really fit into society’s narrative.
In Christ, self-sufficiency is fruitless, even counterproductive. It leaves no room for grace, mercy, the Holy Spirit, or even salvation. The completely self-sufficient person needs no savior. But to call ourselves believers means that we know the limitations of our human nature. We understand and confess that our hearts are deceitful, we are compelled by sin, and we are weak in our flesh. And while so many people on the outside would tell us how ridiculous or depressing that sounds, those of us who have endured illness, tragedy, heartbreak, or disgrace understand that every weakness has profound power when laid at the feet of God.
The truth is, we deceive ourselves if we think we accomplish anything outside of God’s grace and mercy. Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians “ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10, ESV) Even when we work our tails off to get things done, whether it be in ministry, at our jobs, or in family life, it’s still God’s grace that gives us the steadfastness to see it through.
While understanding the concept of sufficiency from God may not be complicated, living it out can be more strenuous. The transformation process involves shifting our language, behaviors, and perspectives. It requires that we go against what society teaches us, and that we have deep trust and faith in the One who is giving us sufficiency; we must fully embrace ourselves as branches that require life-giving connections to the vine. This means that we must unashamedly boast of our weaknesses, because we understand that our missions and our purposes are rooted in glorifying God, not in ourselves. God-give sufficiency means that we will seek contentment in even the most tumultuous situations, because we know He gives us strength in all things. And when we fight through illness, exhaustion, or frailty, we understand that we are vulnerable vessels designed to display God’s power.
I remember handing my illness over to God and saying “I can’t do this on my own anymore.” At the same time I also handed over my entire life to Him knowing that He would equip me to do whatever He called me to. Although it was at an extremely difficult time, I remember the moment with great fondness. There was no better decision I could make for myself, my husband, my future family, and my relationship with God. I wish that I would’ve known a lot earlier how overrated self-sufficiency was. Now, I refuse to go back to thinking I have to do everything on my own; sufficiency from God provides so much more peace, joy, and gratification.
Undoing self-sufficiency is a process that is often painful and prolonged. It can be confusing to unravel previously held beliefs and challenging to relinquish control. But the Holy Spirit is our helper in the transformation. Remember that it is NOT your education, money, strength, experience, or talent that has influence in the matters of heaven. Rather it is your faith and your belief in grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the LOVE of God that grants you access to the benefits of the Kingdom of God. If you find yourself fighting to be strong, unbreakable, or keep up appearances, I encourage you to begin the process of undoing self-sufficiency; it can start with a simple conversation with God or even going through the Scriptures I have linked above. God wants you to rely on Him - He’s waiting and He’s ready to freely give you the sufficiency you desire and need.