Looking for Help in All the Wrong Places

​I once read a survey that reported that the number one most visited section in a bookstore is the “Self-Help” section.  I know bookstores are gradually becoming a thing of the past (which greatly saddens me) but it would not surprise me if this is still true with online book sellers.  The “Self-Help” section is where one can find books on marriage, parenting, healthy living, dealing with stress, how to advance your career, personal finance, etc.  Just as the title implies, the Self-Help section deals with topics on how to help yourself in various areas of life.  The question is, why is the Self-Help section the most popular section in bookstores?  People are looking for answers to all of life’s most pressing issues.  Life is a series of overcoming one obstacle after another and people are looking for answers.  People are desperate for help.  Sadly, the dirty little secret the bookstores don’t want you to know is that there is only one book you need that will answer all of life’s most pressing questions—the Bible.  Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”  If you are looking for wisdom and insight into how to improve your marriage, how to better parent your children, how to deal with a difficult boss at work, how to manage your finances, and a host of other life issues, the answers are all found in God’s word.  Specifically, “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One [God] is insight.”  If you desire to be wise, to make wise decisions in life, if you desire to be an insightful person, it all begins with seeking to know God through his word.  And then v.11 adds, “For by me [by the knowledge of God] your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.”  You don’t need a Self-Help book to answer life’s most pressing questions.  You need God’s help.