Can I Guard Against Self-sabotage?

Friends play a significant role in each person’s life from childhood onward. There are many levels of friendship, ranging from casual to best friends. In healthy friendships the ties that bind individuals together are personal strengths like commitment, trust, respect, and abiding love.

Mutual weaknesses exist in friendships, but mutual strengths tend to compensate for weaknesses in each other’s character and personality. Samuel’s role was to mentor Saul on how to be king, but more importantly, to listen and obey God’s instructions. This was to be his highest objective.

1 Samuel 15 reveals Saul’s propensity for self-sabotage leading to God’s rejecting him as Israel’s king. God rejected Saul for disobedience and for lying about being obedient. Living within God’s boundaries is the best deterrent to self-sabotage. Daily acknowledging the presence of God in your life should always be your highest priority.  

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All day and all night your hand was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you an stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess my sins to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

~Psalm 32:4-5 The Living Bible

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What Makes Self-sabotage a Prevalent Option?

Rare is the person who could say their efforts to do what is good and right were never undermined by a friend or competitor. Most governments gather information to undermine efforts to harm their people. Everyone has the tendency to sabotage their fellowship with God by choosing sin.

A few years ago an Olympian ice skater became jealous of another Olympian whom she perceived as a threat to her winning the gold medal. She then inflicted a crippling injury to the other skater to eliminate her as competition. This brutal act resulted in permanent disqualification from the Olympics.

Saul, God’s chosen king of Israel, set himself in opposition to God’s blessings. He was prideful to a fault and would blame others for his failures. When God’s approval is your goal, the joy and strength you find in him prevents self-sabotage from gaining a strangle-hold. 

Hold on tightly to this truth.                         

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The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: Sexual immorality; impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, faction and envy; drunkenness, orgies ... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

~Galatians 5:19-23  New International Version

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Are There Rules for Fellowship with God?

The news media loves sensational stories that hold an audience’s attention for days, with every possible detail scrutinized by countless “experts”. It’s interesting how the media and the audience tend to focus on self-sabotaging behaviors that ruin a person’s chances for their success and happiness.

What initiates and perpetuates sabotage is a particular weakness that subdues personal strengths that are responsible for success in life. This process portrays a transition in how persons think, believe, and feel about themselves and their relationships.

Saul, the first king of Israel, was very adept in sabotaging God’s blessings on his life and his career. He ignored the rules for fellowship with God – not that he misunderstood the rules but rather would alter the rules to match what he needed or wanted. Reconciliation with God requires turning toward God with humility and a contrite heart seeking forgiveness and restoration. These can be yours. 

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And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.                         

~Romans 8:26-27 New Living Translation

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How Do my Strengths or Weaknesses Shape my Maturity?

Transitions in life are unavoidable although tremendous effort may be exerted to prevent change from taking place. It is difficult to admit that change is required for contentment and peace of mind. Each transition requires maturity and faith to successfully complete it.

Our strengths and weaknesses play a major role in determining our adjustment to unavoidable transitions. Leaving home to be independent is a major passage, as is marriage, becoming a parent, or changing careers. What helps us get through life’s transitions is believing it is God’s purpose for our personal good.

Ask yourself, “What do I need to change about myself at this time in my life that I’ve never been able or willing to change in the past? What does God want me to understand that I haven’t learned from all of my past experiences?” Growing in fellowship, appreciation, and love for God is a never-ending challenge, but a doable transition for your life. 

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Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

~Ephesians 4:1-3 New American Standard Bible

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What Makes Transitions So Difficult?

How well you cope with life’s transitions depends on whether your strengths or weaknesses are in control. That Saul had been chosen by God to be the first King of Israel was unquestionable. Yet on the day of his coronation he failed to show up as anxiety and fear took control of his life.

Instead of asking God for strength and courage, he permitted fear of being ill-prepared for the responsibility to consume him. The strongest personalities will face anxiety and fear, but a person’s inner strength and faith in God prevent weaknesses from dominating their lives.

Sadly, Saul would go through life refusing to put God first in his life. Transitions are predictable in God’s plan and purpose for you, so giving Christ Jesus first place in your life provides security to face whatever life presents. 

Permitting Christ Jesus to be your source of security isn’t easy but is possible with God’s help. So trust in him with all your heart.                            

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The steps of good men [and women] are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take. If they fall, it isn’t fatal, for the Lord holds them up with his hand.

~Psalm 37:23-24 The Living Bible

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What Personal Strengths Safeguard Your Integrity?

When the Hebrew people wanted a king to rule them, God chose Saul for that position. Samuel, who was their priest and judge, anointed him at his coronation. While Samuel sought God’s help and leadership in every situation, Saul impulsively relied on his own judgement.

God does expect us to use our intelligence for accomplishing the tasks before us, but like Saul, we tend to approach God for help only after everything else has failed and we’re experiencing pain and suffering. We fall into this trap by permitting our weaknesses to overtake our strengths.

This happened to Saul. He would impulsively make unacceptable decisions; then instead of admitting his mistakes, he permitted humiliation, pride, and discouragement to dominate his life. Placing faith and hope in Christ Jesus is a priority, and seeking God’s leadership first provides confidence and encouragement to face whatever life brings.

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For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

~Hebrews 4:15 New American Standard Bible

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Are You Determined to Keep Your Promises to God?

Who hasn’t made mistakes or acted impulsively, only to feel regretful as the price for a foolish decision becomes evident. Acting instinctively to avoid an accident or to protect yourself is appropriate, but I’m referring to acting impulsively without regard for the after-effects.

Saul, the first King of Israel, would often permit his weaknesses to rule his life. When facing difficult situations, anxiety and fear would tend to override his faith. He would make promises God never required of him, giving evidence of his weaknesses superseding his better judgment.

God does not require you to make irresponsible promises to get through difficult situations. Ask God for insight and wisdom to manage important life decisions. God promises to hear your prayers and to answer them. When tempted to act impulsively, ask God if it’s in accordance with his purpose for you. Wait for his reply.

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You answered me when I called to you; with your strength you strengthened me.

~Psalm 137:14 Good News Bible

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Is There an Excuse for Making Impetuous Decisions?

Impulsive decisions and behaviors are often declared mistakes after they have produced suffering and pain. Saul, King of Israel, impulsively ordered his army to go without food on the day of an important battle. He vowed that if anyone ate food they would die.

Saul’s son Jonathan, unaware of his father’s orders, observed honey oozing from the trunk of a tree and couldn’t resist such a sweet treat. When Saul learned of Jonathan’s disobedience, he prepared to kill him. The commanders of the army intervened and stopped him. 

Listen to their rebuke: “Should Jonathan die after leading us to a great victory today? Not a hair on his head will be harmed.” 

God will utilize our strengths and our weaknesses to make sure his plans and purposes succeed. Psalm 18:2 makes this declaration: “The Lord is my strength, my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” This can be your testimony.                               

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And in the same way -- by our faith -- the Holy Spirit--helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.

~Romans 8:26 The Living Bible

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Can Impulsive Decisions Be Corrected?

Have you ever made a decision on the spur of the moment that changed your life permanently? Impulsive acts may take place without any consideration for their positive or negative consequences. On the other side of acting impulsively is agonizing indefinitely over ever minute detail.

King Saul of Israel is an example of being impetuous – making rash, spontaneous statements and reckless decisions without considering future consequences. While Saul had many strengths, he often permitted his weaknesses to dominate his life.

Saul believed in God and often did what was good and right, but when he acted impulsively, he brought condemnation and regret onto himself. Seeking forgiveness from others and making restitution pleases God. 

Restoring fellowship with God is achieved by offering him a contrite and broken heart, and he in return gives you his grace and mercy. 

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My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

~Psalm 73:26 New International version

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How Are Pride and Humility Incompatible?

Humility is often perceived as meekness, which means it is seen as a weakness rather than a strength. This common usage of meekness is negative, for it portrays a person as weak. In the worst sense it implies lack of courage to stand up for yourself.

Pride can be thought of as a strength or weakness. Pride can be a strength when balanced with the awareness that all you are and have are blessings from God. Being proud of your children, a home, and career is okay when balanced with thanksgiving to God for his provision.

Humility is a strength if it insures we never forget that our strengths are insufficient for long-term success. Saul, God’s chosen King of Israel, failed to honor God by refusing to humble himself and follow God’s calling and boundaries. 

Refuse to permit the cares of life to turn you away from God’s insight and wisdom that he offers you for balancing your strengths and weaknesses. You can remain faithful to God’s calling with the faith and strength he willingly offers you.                               

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He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

~Isaiah 40:29 New International Version

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Can You Manage Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

Being proud of your accomplishments can portray both a strength and a weakness of character. Believing that success is achieved by strong values, hard work, and faith that elevates the Lord Jesus Christ to the highest priority are strengths to be celebrated.

Saul, the first King of Israel, was successful as long as he submitted to the presence of God in his life. Sadly, he believed he could achieve great things in his own power and abilities. Saul’s pride was a weakness that cut him off him from God’s blessing.

Weaknesses can be a blessing by realizing you can serve God as he offsets your weaknesses with his grace and power. Believe you can do immeasurable things by depending on God as the guiding force in your life. 

Be thankful that God has given you the opportunity to serve him with the time you are allotted here on earth. Jesus came to seek and serve those in need.  

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But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

~2 Corinthians 12:9 English Standard Version

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How Does Disobedience Lead to Loss of God's Favor?

How would you describe your strengths and weaknesses? Acknowledging that strengths and weaknesses exist in our personality and character is essential for achieving success in each phase of adult life. How a person utilizes their gifts and talents during adolescence lays the foundation for an expanding identity.

Saul, the first king of Israel, exhibited the strengths that would qualify him for success. He was intelligent, handsome and tall, a man of courage, a military strategist, and a capable commander of the army. He was generous, but above all these he was chosen by God to be king.

With all of these strengths, disobedience would contribute to Saul's failure. Apparently, pride kept him from admitting his weaknesses and making amends. Proverbs 16:18 gives us this warning: “Pride leads to destruction and arrogance to downfall.” Always remember, humility instead of pride is the way to God’s heart and his blessings.

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Don’t let anyone deceive you with meaningless words. It is because of sins like these that the God’s anger comes to those who refuse to obey him.

~Ephesians 5:6 God’s Word Translation

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What's So Important About Self-restraint?

From childhood onward human beings have an inclination to focus on the strengths and weaknesses in themselves and others. Choosing someone to emulate is an essential need, but ironically, that person or group may have weaknesses that minimize their strengths.

Most individuals are subject to self-indulgence, if only marginally, yet practicing self-restraint creates a pathway to peace, contentment, and satisfaction with what God provides. Self-restraint is a character strength that helps you “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but to consider others more important than yourself.”

Self-restraint must continually be nurtured by honoring God and acknowledging that without him you’re vulnerable to falling into sin that’s difficult from which to break free.

When you "seek God with all your heart, he will be found," and that gives you reason to praise him and be thankful. Do that now.                              

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But I discipline my body to keep it under control, lest when I preach [teach, talk] to others, I myself should be disqualified.

~1 Corinthians 9:27 English Standard Version

 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

~1 Peter 2:9  English Standard Version 

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