Hello, my name is Alene and I’m a self-help addict! I’ve mentioned before, for years I struggled with finding that “one purpose” I was made for. If you are a “self-help” junkie like me, you are probably living in that section at the book store like I did for years. I couldn’t get enough learning about personalities, strengths, leadership, passions and so on. I read furiously everything I could get my hands on and my mind around, YET I was still frustrated.
Yep, I learned a lot about myself in the process (that was a good thing), but walked away still empty. still longing. still wanting. It was one day when I was crying out to God trying to put all my frustrations into a prayer that He impressed on my heart to go read Hebrews 4:12. After much nudging from Him I went and got my Bible.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Those 9 words – for the word of God is living and active – caught me off guard that day. My mind dwelled on them and I felt God impress upon my heart “You’ll never have the peace and fulfilling purpose that you want until you turn to ME. What you are looking for will not be found in all the other books you are reading, but only through ME. Come read what I have to say and I’ll teach you.”
You betcha’! That day I got my Bible out and started digging in. I was amazed at what a fresh light He shined into my heart and life when I started viewing my everyday ordinary life in light of HIS TRUTH! It was then that the little things began to become bigger. As I looked at Christ’s life, everything He stood for was ordinary, yet HUGE.
He sought God is such ordinary ways — in the morning, by the lake, on the mountain. And He served others with ordinary things in huge ways — towels, mud, spit, rocks, thorns.
Through the course of that journey, God revealed to me two things you must do to find that peaceful purpose you are looking for:
1. Seek God everyday– only He can reveal your purpose in each moment.
2. Serve Others with everything you have.
Come back tomorrow and w’ell talk about what happens when you begin to seek God with everything you have and serve others. Can you keep a secret? It’s all about the sweet spot!
Let me hear from all you “self-help junkies” out there.
Love this! It's why God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things :) Keep going Alene, love following you!!!
Wow. So needed to read this today, Thank You!
Um… yes, former self-help junkie here! There is some "truth" in all those books, but it is by no means Truth. Only one place to go for what really satisfies.
Just this morning God pressed on my heart…"Leave those other books(self help, how to KNOW God and all the others) alone and open Mine first!"
And now I'm reading this! God, You've got to be kidding?. lol
Oooh…He's speaking to me every day from your post!
love~Tammy
Whoop – let's hear it for the self-help junkies! Tammy – WOW that is totally amazing. I love it when God talks in "stereo" to me. Blessings girls!
I'm in need of "help", but not "self-help"… been there done that (life before Christ entered my heart).
Great post reminding us His Word is our "Truth". I enjoy reading books of real life testimony and stories of victory to bring encouragement into my day and/or situation… kinda how your blog does… thanks Alene :) It's neat how God allows us to participate in "helping" each other by His divine power :)
I can't say that I am a self help junkie, but I do need to get into my Bible more.
Some days I still find myself frustrated with things.
You can never have true peace until you learn what great things God has in store for you.
I admit, I've never actually understood the appeal of sel help books.
That said, I've watched multiple seasons of Flavor of Love, so my taste is quite suspicious.
As you can tell by my blog I am definitely a self help junkie!! I love finding new ways to grow and challenge myself. I think I do that because I'm always looking for my purpose and challenging myself to try new things or stretch my current limits!! Great post!!!
CapturedFootprints.blogspot.com
Honored to know I'm among some other self-helpers that know we need to keep our eyes on JESUS! Love your passions. Love your blogs.