Self-Sabotage

In my time in rehab to break my alcohol addiction I was introduced to the term self-sabotaging. 

Sabotage: It’s when you ruin or disrupt something by messing it up on purpose (vocabulary.com) 

The most graphic Biblical example of self-sabotage is found in Mark 9:20 – 27.  Here the father of a possessed son comes to Jesus for help. The most impressive part of this incident may be in verses 23 and 24, when: 

 ²³Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 

²⁴Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (NKJV) 

I believe…help my unbelief. 

That is a quandary we face. In our most desperate circumstances, we must find a certainty of heart to cast ourselves in a freefall into the hands of a Saviour, who will undoubtedly catch us. But we must let go of all our own reasoning. Believing Christ cannot be attained by reason. 

In my life, the battle with self-destructive thought, and behaviours, have not been as simple or as dramatic as the example found in Mark Chapter 9. Yes, I have had “Jesus” moments that are just as real as Mark 9. Miracle moments. However, it hasn’t been a once-fixed always-fixed situation. 

I find the passage in James 2:14 through 24 applies. ¹⁷Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (NKJV) 

In the addiction recovery world, there is evidence that the deliverance from these destructive patterns is a journey that differs for each individual.  One key approach seems standard for all.  They recognized their plight for what it was. They acknowledged they were helpless. They cast their belief on One that was able to save them. And in many cases picked themselves back up when they had made another face plant into the mire; then brushed off the dirt, and repeated, “I believe. Help thou mine unbelief.” 

The remedy to break the chain of self-sabotage is to come to Jesus. “As we are.” Leave all excuses and reasons at the foot of the cross. I believe. Help thou me.