Feeling Inadequate? Join the club!
Sometimes I just feel so darn inadequate.
Today I was speaking with a dear friend who is going through major upheaval in her life. Her faith remains strong, but her heart aches. For more than an hour I tried to find the right things to say, things that would lift her spirits. Instead I kept saying, “It will get better.”
Duh. Bet that helped a bunch!
When we got off the phone, I just sat there. Why couldn’t I come up with something, ANYTHING, that would help? Why did it seem that, when my friend needed me most, my brain decided to take a leave of absence?
I turned to my Bible. And I found great comfort in my inadequacy there.
One of the greatest leaders in the Bible, Moses, struggled with feelings of inadequacy.
“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” “But who am I to appear before Pharaoh?” Moses asked God. “How can you expect me to lead the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:1-22
Moses felt unprepared to take on the task that God had uniquely chosen for him. He was to speak in front of Pharaoh, yet was a poor speaker. He was to lead a nation out of captivity, yet he was overwhelmed by the task.
But God worked through Moses. He went before Pharaoh, he spoke as the leader he was, and he led the Israelites from slavery to the Promised Land. God worked through Moses inadequacy to rescue His people!
We don’t have to be perfectly prepared for every task. In fact, it goes against our humanness. But God does not ask us to be perfect, He only asks us to obey, to listen, to allow ourselves to be used by Him.
He will use our inadequacies to His strength. He will provide words where we have none, if we will only allow Him to work through us, to His glory.
I don’t know if my mumblings and ramblings helped my friend. But I pray that in my woefully lacking words, God spoke to her. After all, His words are the words of life!
August 21st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I just don’t understand fundamentalist Christians at all. What a silly entry. To sum up the entry, “My friend is facing a crisis, I’m inadequate, woe is me, I have it so bad.” Instead of praying for her friend, the author goes to the Bible to comfort herself and focus completely on her inadequacies. How about “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” ?????? Then there is no conclusion to the story. We are left thinking she is sitting there in front of her Bible having a hallelujah moment and doing nothing.
I just stumbled on this entry on a google search and I am floored that this is the best the Christian world can offer for comfort and ideas. How vapid! God is not about focusing on failures and inadequacies, He is about empowering and being victorious.
If this is the best the author can do, she is best to finish baking her casserole, darning her husband’s socks, and gossiping on the phone with her friends.
Quit watering down God’s message!
August 21st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I didn’t take that at all from this blog. I took that we all feel inadequate, but that God uses our inadequacies to do great things through us. He doesn’t expect perfection, but He is all powerful to work through our imperfections.
I also don’t understand the attack on the author. God’s world is big enough for all opinions, yes, but when we turn on each other so angrily, what purpose is served? I have been reading this blog for more than a year, going back to the previous author. I have been uplifted through the words and ideas, I have found comfort that I am not the only person that has these feelings.
Bunny, please understand that while you feel this entry is “silly,” others may be touched or comforted. Make room for different types of people and differing emotions in God’s world.
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:55 am
Wow, Bunny…I am so sorry for whatever hurt you have in your heart. Whatever you were searching for on Google lead you to Truth, just know that…whether you accept it or not. And Leah, thank you for your sweet words.
The author of this blog did not just focus on her inadequecies as she sat there with her Bible in her lap….she focused on the adequecy and sovereignty of Almighty God. She focused on the Words of God, the Truth. The Lord uses our weaknesses to reveal Himself and His power. He does so to prove His faithfulness. As humans, our limited minds focus on ourselves…what we can and cannot do, and the consequences of those thoughts and actions. Generally, we do not even see the impact of our obedience to Him (again, it’s not about us). God is about nothing else except the glory of His name and his renown. He uses failures, inadequecies, victories and obedience (and so much more) to fulfill that purpose.
Oh, and by the way…I am the friend that was on the other line with the author the other night…and through the author’s so called “inadequecies” I heard the words of God. As she said in the blog….the Lord simply asks us to listen, to obey, and to be available to be used by Him in our lost and sinful world. May we all quit looking at ourselves and be engrossed in the majesty of of Savior!!! For His glory!
Thanks, Linda! I love you.
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I am a life member of this club, but His grace is sufficient for me.
May 26th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Wow, Bunny…I am so sorry for whatever hurt you have in your heart. Whatever you were searching for on Google lead you to Truth, just know that…whether you accept it or not. And Leah, thank you for your sweet words