God helps those who help themselves

I would have agreed with 82% of Americans who believe this phrase comes from the Bible. But it does not. Its origins are in Ancient Greece. It is certainly a well-known motto and it’s used to encourage and inspire self-help in people. But I was reading in the Quran: [38:10] Do they possess the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them? Let them help themselves.

And the way that last sentence is worded made me think of the motto differently. We cannot actually help ourselves. God is in full control of everything. The only possible way we can help ourselves is by worshiping God alone, turning to Him for all our needs, acknowledging His Omnipotence, and thanking Him for His mercy and kindness.

In Matthew 5:3 in the New Testament some translations give that same understanding:

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope.

With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (The Message)

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him. (New Living Translation)

Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need. (Easy to Read Version)

When we realize we are at the end of our rope, when we realize how much we need God, then we can turn to Him. And when we turn to Him, we can find true blessings.

God tells us in 13:11 …. GOD does not change the condition of any people unless they themselves make the decision to change. … So, in that sense, God does help those who help themselves. But it’s not that God wants us to do things for ourselves; it’s that He wants us to realize we can’t do anything for ourselves. The change we have to make is recognizing that our only help comes from God. We can then change our mindset to worshiping Him alone.

We must also be receptive to the help God sends us. Sometimes it comes in the form of another person. A doctor may help you when you’re sick. A lawyer might help you out of a jam. A friend can often help just by being there.

But it’s still God who is sending this help. And we can thank the doctor or the friend, but we must first and foremost thank God.

To be fully appreciative, we must follow God’s commandments. We must do our practices—salat, zakat, fasting—with reverence and consistency. We must lead a righteous life—be kind, charitable, honest, and appreciative. We must understand and accept the true meaning of the Hereafter—that we will be held accountable for all we do in this life and therefore try our best to keep our record as pristine as possible. And repent and reform when we make mistakes.

Then God will truly help us.

[16:128] GOD is with those who lead a righteous life, and those who are charitable.

[55:60] Is the reward of goodness anything but goodness?

Lydia