Self Help Books

I don’t understand the allure of self-help books, the advice given is common and drivel and can be offered by any level headed person if only you’d ask. Yet I picked up a copy today, titled “Ask God” – a journey a spiritual faith and growth. The author, sunk to an all-time spiritual low, in desperation pours out his resentment, frustration and anger in a letter addressed to God. Much to his bewilderment, God replies to his letter and they now share a more personal relationship than ever. 

Self-help books are one of the fastest-selling categories of books. However, their effectiveness in actually resolving issues or improving the reader’s quality of life is unknown. Yet millions upon millions of copies are sold each year, with testimonials from past readers on the back cover to “certify” their effectiveness. Is this a demonstration of the clever marketing techniques we’ve learned to deploy? Or is this a blatant demonstration of how hopeful the human race can be? 

Who do we turn to in our bleakest, darkest moments? Some turn to their family or friends, others turn to other sources of comfort – food, drink, drugs or partying. Yet when backed into a corner with no other means of escape many turn to a higher power, “Save me Lord” would not go astray when one is in dire straits. When confronted with death, it is not uncommon for a terminally ill patient to turn to a higher power, it promises security, safety and best of all - life. One of our basic human instincts is to recreate life. Sex is a primary focus of our lives – it is the most searched subject on the internet. Life is inbuilt in us, we live to create, to pass on our genetic material to the next generation. So when the age old question presents itself – what happens to us when we take our last breathe? It brings along a flurry of emotions, excitement, doubt and most of all fear.

 Death is any mortal’s final destination in life, from Emperors, kings or presidents – none can evade their fate. Apart from it being inevitable, it is also unknown – generation upon generation, men have battled death with their wits only to return empty handed. A higher power is the only logical conclusion men have deduced. Men have worshipped spirits and idols for as long as history cares to dictate them, a higher power gives mankind hope, it gives mankind something to grasp when the unknown bears down upon us, it assures us that yes – we will be able to live on.  

There is no substantial evidence, scientific or otherwise, that proves that there is a higher power - just hope. Religion, like self-help books hold many promises, “We’d help you become a Millionaire before you hit 40!”, “Find eternal life with fountains of wine and gates of gold” sound eerily similar. They both offer a series of steps – build your portfolio, invest in a term deposit account, baptisms and confirmation events and sacrifices are to be made at certain times. Yet how many readers succeed in fulfilling the promises that are given to them by these self help books? We see “Over 20 million copies sold” written on the front cover, yet we do not see “Succeeded in assisting 20 million people in becoming financially successful”. How many people receive their just rewards promised to them by their God? Nobody knows, yet people continue purchasing self-help books, people continue to believe. Whatever for? Hope.

So why do I believe when I know that there are no guarantees that living my life in a certain way will grant me access to heaven? I believe because I have a fear of death and the unknown, I believe because it is better to believe and hope than not to hope at all. I believe because it gives me security that no matter what, I will be loved, I will be forgiven and I will be taken care of forever. 



I bought the book.