More than likely you have heard it said, “You can do anything you put your mind to.” Or maybe, “You can be anybody you want to be.” It’s also quite possible you’ve heard hundreds of popular motivational speakers who bandwagon the successful “Self-Empowerment” messages.

I have heard them, and they have left me wondering about the audience listening to one of these types of gatherings. How do these people feel when they realize they really don’t have what it takes to do everything they are being encouraged to do?

For instance, I was attending a conference where motivational speakers held separate leadership and inspirational seminars. One in particular was a successful author and speaker named Rachel Hollis. Though I personally had no desire to attend her seminar, several of my friends were ecstatic to be a part of something they believed would be influential in their lives. I decided to listen to a little of the message, intrigued why her particular seminar was overflowing with attendance.

The overshadowing message was undeniable: “YOU are the only one who can control your life. YOU have to create the life you want to live.”

I gazed around the over-crowded room, and rows and rows of women were sobbing and nodding their heads in agreement. My heart was broken for these women. “What are these women going to do when they realize they really don’t have what it takes?”

As this self-centered and self-glorifying message continues to be the “topic of choice” to a lot of aspiring bloggers, speakers, and even Christian preachers, more and more people are being pulled into a false hope about their future.

Here’s the deal, I tried to build a future for myself. I tried being in control of my own life. I tried creating my own happiness and success. It was fun, invigorating, and the adrenaline was enough to keep me headed in the wrong direction. I loved the feeling of being in control and watching my self-centered desires come to pass. However, no one prepared me for what happens after you build a life for yourself without the help and instruction of the Spirit.

No one told me all my efforts, struggles, trials, challenges, and accomplishments would be in vain. No one told me when the adrenaline wore off that I would be feeling emptier than when I started. No one told me I would have to work tirelessly to maintain my accomplished position. And especially no one told me how far I would fall from the heights of my pride when my Father in Heaven opposed me (James 4:6).

The truth is we don’t have what it takes to get us where we need to be. Why?

1.       Because we don’t know where we are going.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

2.       We don’t know what it will take to get there.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9

3.       We are not capable of figuring it out on our own.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

4.       We are constantly in a state of falling short.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

In other words, the lies we have been fed at conferences, seminars, and even in the books we read are separating us from the ultimate will of God in our lives. This message of “self-embodied empowerment” is manipulating us to believe we are in control of our lives, our happiness, our circumstances; it is destructive for our futures.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 16:25

As Christians, we have already been given the greatest “hype” message ever told! But, unlike the false security of the YOU message, this “hype” message isn’t setting us up for failure. It isn’t separating us from God, and it isn’t encouraging us to design a mediocre life for ourselves. This “hype” message from Jesus has substance, authority, and promise.

Promise of Purpose
“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16

Promise of Glory
“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:24

Promise of Guidance
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:6

Promise of Provisions
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

Promise of Fulfillment
 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

The promises of God are the will of God, and if we truly desire to have the best possible life for ourselves, then we have to allow the One who gave us breath to carry out His purposes in our hearts. We may not have what it takes to get us where we need to be, but God does, and He is more than willing to get us there.