Stop Trying To Rely On Your Own Ability

Relying on our own abilities, while common, can sometimes lead us to a place of frustration and limited results. When we think we can handle everything on our own, we might forget to lean on God’s strength and wisdom. The Bible teaches that our reliance should be on God, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Let’s explore this deeper by breaking down some key concepts from the Bible about not depending on our own abilities.

1. Human Limitations vs. God’s Unlimited Power

We all have our limitations. Our skills, intellect, and energy can only take us so far. In fact, Scripture points out that even the strongest of us will eventually get tired, face hardships, and struggle.

Isaiah 40:29-31 highlights that even youths—who are typically the strongest and most vibrant—grow weary. This is a reminder that human strength, no matter how great, is finite. However, when we hope in the Lord, He renews our strength, allowing us to go further than we could on our own.

2. The Risk of Self-Reliance: Trusting in the Flesh

In Jeremiah 17:5-7, God warns that relying on human strength and wisdom is a “curse.” The verse uses imagery of someone trusting in mere flesh—meaning relying solely on one’s abilities, resources, and understanding. This kind of reliance is ultimately futile because human nature is flawed, and our capabilities are finite.

By contrast, the person who trusts in the Lord is blessed. This is not just about putting our trust in God for salvation, but also in our daily lives. When we surrender our control to God and trust His wisdom over our own understanding, we allow Him to guide us to greater outcomes than we could ever achieve on our own.

3. God’s Strength in Our Weakness

A powerful truth in Scripture is that God’s power is most evident when we recognize our weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul shares how he had prayed for God to remove a “thorn in the flesh,” a weakness that troubled him. But God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This teaching from Paul is transformative: when we are weak, God’s strength is most apparent.

This means that when we acknowledge our limitations, we give God the opportunity to work through us. The beauty of this is that God's grace allows us to do more than we could through our own efforts. Instead of feeling defeated by our weakness, we can embrace it as a space where God’s power is most visible.

4. Trust in God’s Provision, Not in Our Own Resources

In Matthew 19:26, Jesus reminds us that there are things that are simply impossible for us. People in the world rely on their abilities, wealth, and status to achieve success, but Jesus makes it clear that there are things beyond our human capacity. He reassures us that with God, all things are possible. This offers us great hope when we face challenges that seem insurmountable.

This principle extends to our daily lives. We can plan, work, and strategize, but it’s ultimately God who provides the resources, strength, and opportunities. By trusting Him instead of relying on our own planning, we experience His provision in ways we never could have predicted.

5. Surrendering Our Control to God

When we hold onto our own abilities tightly, we are essentially saying that we don’t need God’s help. But Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches that we should not lean on our own understanding. Instead, we are to trust God completely. The act of submitting all our plans to Him invites His guidance and wisdom into every aspect of our lives.

When we surrender, we acknowledge that we cannot control everything. This doesn’t mean we stop working or planning; rather, we work with the awareness that God is the ultimate source of our success. This surrender isn’t a passive resignation but an active trust that God will direct our steps.

6. The Blessing of Total Dependence on God

There is a direct correlation between our trust in God and the blessings we experience. Psalm 20:7 speaks of how some people trust in tangible things (like chariots or horses), which symbolize strength, power, and worldly resources. However, the psalmist declares that true trust lies in God alone. When we place our confidence in God, we experience blessings that surpass worldly achievements.

Trusting in God often leads to unexpected breakthroughs. In our own strength, we might only go so far, but when we put our trust in God, He opens doors, provides insight, and even brings opportunities we couldn't have created ourselves.

7. Living Out Faith in Everyday Life

Relying on our own abilities means that we often act independently of God. However, God calls us to live out our faith daily in dependence on Him. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us that “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” Our achievements are not merely a result of hard work, but of the Holy Spirit working within us. This encourages us to seek God’s guidance, lean on His strength, and surrender our goals to His will.

By submitting our abilities to God, we allow Him to work through us. This doesn’t mean we abandon our responsibilities, but it does mean we recognize that everything we have—our talents, time, and energy—comes from God and should be used for His glory.

Conclusion: Living a Life of Trust

To stop relying on our own abilities requires a shift in how we view our life and the world around us. It is not that we discard our skills or talents, but that we recognize that they are gifts from God and that true success and strength come from Him.

God calls us to trust Him in all areas of life. Whether we face challenges, make important decisions, or look to the future, our confidence should be in God’s ability, not our own. When we make this shift, we invite God to guide us, empower us, and work through us. This leads to a life of peace, fulfillment, and abundant blessing.

When we rely on God’s strength, rather than our own, we experience true freedom and success. God is faithful, and He will never leave us to struggle alone.