You Got This! …or Do You?

If you are a Christian that works within the largely secular workforce, you have undoubtedly come into situations where you see a clash in worldviews when it comes to different daily activities. This probably comes up most frequently in “casual conversation” or talk around the water cooler when the themes of what is discussed around you may not align with your Christian values (e.g., 1 John 2:15-17).

Recently, everyone in my office was signing a get-well card for one of our employees who was undergoing surgery. These “card signing moments” I have always found interesting as a Christian. Whether it be a thank you, a bereavement, or a get-well card, the little tidbits that others share in the card gives a picture into their worldview. In this case, as we were writing for the quick recovery for one of our team members, I read someone’s encouragement that said, “You got this!” I’m sure you have seen this term many times in recent years. It is meant to encourage someone and is used in a variety of different circumstances. My coworker wanted to be an encouragement to their friend.

In this case, when I read the line, “You got this!” I thought to myself, “Do they?” Is there any way in which I could say “You got this!” ? In surgery, under anesthesia, regardless of the type of procedure, you are completely at the mercy of the doctors, and ultimately, of God. You bring no skills to this procedure yourself as you are unconscious. Perhaps if you are living a healthy life, your chances of survival in the procedure might be greater, but you play no active role in your survival at that time.

These three words give us a quick glimpse into a contrast in world views. “You got this!” places all dependence for success on the individual rather than acknowledging that ultimately in these situations, we are completely dependent on a sovereign God that does His pleasure.

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Psalm 115:3

In surgery it is clear, “You got this!” is untrue. It places man in the place of God when it is Him we should be urgently seeking at this time!

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:14-16

There are certainly situations where “You got this!” may be more appropriate. Let’s imagine your son or daughter (or even you!) has been preparing all week for an exam, diligently studying to be prepared. On exam day, telling them “You got this!” acknowledges their hard work and seeks to instill confidence that they will be able to leverage what they have studied to bring about a good result. Yes, all thanks still belongs with God, but the term is appropriate.

Finally, let us be clear that when it comes to determining our final destiny, whether it be reigning forever with the God of Heaven or suffering conscious torment for eternity in Hell, “You got this!” will not help you. We all suffer from the mortal illness of sin (Romans 6:23) and it is only through humbly calling on Christ (Romans 10:9), telling Him that we are completely helpless and require His atoning work to forgive our sins and save us, that we can be rescued from perishing, reconciled to God, and placed into the body of Christ.

The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Reason Together Podcast.