A Kiss from Rose | Self-Sabotage

alstonshropshire3
Apr 29
2 min read

Self-sabotage is when a person consciously or unconsciously undermines their own progress, success, relationships, or well-being. It often shows up in behaviors that seem to contradict one’s goals—procrastination, negative self-talk, self-isolation, perfectionism, or even destructive habits. At its root, self-sabotage is a fear of failure, success, rejection, or not feeling worthy of good things. It’s the voice in your head that whispers, “You’re not enough,” even when everything is going right.

People sabotage themselves for many reasons—past trauma, low self-esteem, fear of judgment, or simply being too comfortable in dysfunction. When someone has been conditioned to expect disappointment, they sometimes create it so they won’t be surprised when it shows up. It’s a survival mechanism turned into a roadblock.

Some of the most common ways people self-sabotage include:

Procrastination: Delaying actions that could move them forward.
Overthinking: Constantly analyzing until they’re paralyzed.
Toxic relationships: Choosing people who reinforce negative beliefs.
Perfectionism: Never starting or finishing because it’s “not good enough.”
Negative self-talk: Tearing down their own confidence before others can.

A Biblical Example: Saul, the First King of Israel

King Saul is a striking biblical example of self-sabotage. Handpicked by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel, Saul started strong. He had the stature, position, and divine backing to lead well. But his insecurity and disobedience caused him to unravel.

Saul constantly compared himself to others—especially David. He allowed jealousy, fear, and the desire to please people more than God to cloud his judgment. He made impulsive decisions (like offering sacrifices that only priests were allowed to give), directly disobeyed God’s instructions, and eventually lost the throne because of his actions.

Why did Saul self-sabotage?

He struggled with insecurity and identity.
He lacked full trust in God’s plan.
He craved the approval of people more than God’s.

Saul’s inability to get out of his own way led to a tragic downfall. He lost God’s favor, his peace of mind, and ultimately his life. His story is a reminder that leadership without surrender leads to self-destruction.

Self-sabotage isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s the quiet delay, the hidden fear, the subtle disbelief in one’s worth. But healing starts with awareness. When you begin to replace lies with truth, fear with faith, and delay with discipline—you create space for growth. Don’t be the reason your blessings miss their arrival. You don’t need to sabotage what God has already ordained.