Pop Psychology

One interesting tidbit of pop psychology that I've learned recently is this:

If you're feeling bad about yourself or like you are a failure, make a list of all the things that you fail at. Then you'll feel better.

And here's the reasoning behind it: if you try to make a list of things you fail at, you'll inevitably fail at doing that. And then lo and behold, You've failed at trying to make yourself fail. Instant win!!!! Right???

I admit I've gone before to the trove of pop psychology, I've tried using and have even recommended some of the tips and tricks found there... but I am now becoming more and more aware of how much I've come to depend on them, and perhaps unconsciously, but nonetheless, to begin viewing them with a spirit of awe and reverence that really does not belong... They're interesting, and often times yes, helpful. But I'm seeing now that at their root, perhaps they are not so good after all...

Just a few things about this one:

1. Some people are really good at making lists, especially lists like that (aka me - I admit I tried this once and my list rambled on and on and on and on...), and doing that just leads to the clear opposite effect. One might think, "oh man, I fail at so many things, nooooo", or if in a really self-deprecating mood, even "I fail at making a fail list, I'm such a failure!!!"  
2. The way that several proponents of this method have described it, this also encourages you to write lists of things you don't like about yourself, and then ignore it completely. Because hey! You're not so bad after all. Then again I guess there's then more pop psychology to suggest other ways to help yourself help yourself.
3. I've found that ultimately, the heart of this message (and many other pop psych messages) is this: Focus on yourself, because within yourself is the power to make yourself happy and complete. 

It sounds lovely right? That inside the depths of our souls lie an inherent power for us to fill in our own gaps, to find our true satisfaction and happiness, to unlock all that we can do and discover who we were meant to be.


You have the power. You have the truth. It's all there inside yourself.

It's the battle cry of post-modernism, the flying banner of humanism and the victory flag of feminism. It's empowering, encouraging, gives you a pat on the back and a nice shot of adrenaline on those inevitable days.

And isn't that exactly what Satan would love for us to think?

That we are capable on our own? That we have the ability to do all of these great things? That we can find our fulfillment in activity, in relationships with others, in digging within ourselves and finding out our own true purposes? On our own? Apart from God?


That may not be at the heart of all pop psychology... yet so much of our world has sought to seek their own.

Romans 1:12 --
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 --
For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

As wonderful and helpful that tips and tricks from pop psychology may be, perhaps we shouldn't (I shouldn't) look to them, at all, after all. My question to self is, would I look similarly to other sources that I know do not honor God, and in fact seek at their heart to usurp His authority and wisdom? I should like to think not.

May we look only to the only Wise God, and give Him all the honor that is due...