Friday, March 18, 2016

Feeling Inadequate?

Hey Friend,

This week, I have been having a gritty battle with feeling terribly inadequate.  I had an argument with my husband and once again, a light shone on my selfishness. 

I remember when my children were little, sometimes I would get in my bed, pull the covers over my head and pray that the Lord would save my children from me.  Like all moms, I did my best, but I had this misguided idea that once they grew up, all their problems and difficulties would cease.  Little did I know that their problems just become adult problems - more complex than temper tantrums and potty training.  Maybe if I had just been a better mom...

In my work with Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. I am learning just how much I don't know. I've never started a non-profit organization.  I need to, but don't grasp Legalese, Excel, Squarespace, and other programs and computer functions.  I'm just not wired that way (no pun intended).

So, back to my feeling inadequate...(back to "me" - red flag #1)

The good news is that I am in good company.  Moses, when called by God to lead, said, "Behold, I am unskilled in speech (I am a clumsy speaker); how then will Pharoah listen to me." (Exodus 6:30)

Feeling inadequate means that we are lacking the quality or quantity required; we are insufficient for a purpose.

Lacking...insufficient...yep...that about sums it up!

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:12 NIV)

You see, all have sinned, and all their futile attempts to reach God in His glory fail.  (Romans 3:12 The Voice)

Interestingly enough, I don't read this and feel defeated.  I believe that God gave me this scripture to say three very important things:

     *We are ALL sinners/human and feel this way.  Welcome to the club
     *It is good to recognize your inadequacy.  You are...but it's okay
     *We are ALL inadequate in and of ourselves...that's why we need Christ

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul has finished boasting about his sufferings, and now is telling of all the great visions the Lord has chosen to give him. Listen to the note he ends on:

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But, he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10)

Paul, I believe, is saying that lest he get too caught up in himself, he was given a thorn in his side to keep him from being conceited.

Human weakness provides the ideal opportunity for the display of divine power.

I took a closer look at what the Lord says to Paul...

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Sufficient in the original Greek is "arkeo"
Arkeo means content enough or satisfied.

Perfect in the original Greek is "teleo"
Teleo means finished, completed, fulfilled, done, carried out

I believe that the Lord is saying that His grace is enough or sufficient for me...but in My weakness that is truly where His power is finished, complete, done, fulfilled, carried out...

The Lord shines or is glorified when I am at my weakest...

In my weakest state...that is when the Lord can really work!

How do I, then, become perfect?  By admitting my weakness and that I need a Savior. 

I admit and embrace my weakness and my inadequacy.

I need to rely and depend on the Lord for perfection in my salvation and sufficiency in my daily walk.

I need to surrender my PRIDE and embrace HUMILITY...

In My power or in the Lord's power...where do I want to draw my strength?

Do I desire the Kingdom of Me...or do I want the Kingdom of God?

My inadequacy keeps bringing me back to the Lord and isn't that where I need and want to be anyway?

How about you?? Do you ever feel inadequate?  Where and how do you draw your strength?  What has been your experience when you turn it over to the Lord?

Dear Lord, I thank you that you do not leave me to fend for myself in my weakness.  You beckon me to come to you and draw from YOUR strength and perfect power.  Forgive me when pride enters in help me to embrace my inadequacy with a humble heart.  Enable me to rely and depend upon you so that YOUR glory can shine and YOUR Kingdom come.  Thank you for letting me know that I am not alone and that you "get" my humanness.  Save me from the enemy who preys upon me in this weakened state.  I claim your promise that you fight for me.  Through you, and only through you am I made perfect and complete.
I praise you and thank you.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed...

ps. These are some of the forgotten children and orphans that Redeemer Christian Foundation, Inc. is trying to help.  Many Christian schools and humanitarian aid charities operate around the globe, but very few are focused on the Middle East.  These children are truly forgotten, but God sees their plight and the terrorism that surrounds them.  If you have compassion on these innocents, would you visit us on our website and consider making a donation to let them know that people truly do care??

www.redeemerchristianfoundation.org
RCF, Inc is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.  100% of your contribution goes directly to the children...thank you!

25 comments:

  1. Oh, it's so hard when we look in the "mirror" and see ourselves as we really are. I guess the good news is that realizing our inadequacy is the first step toward laying hold of all that God offers! Blessings, Bev! It's always uplifting to read what you offer here at your place!

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    1. Michele,
      You said it...realizing and admitting our inadequacy is the first step toward laying hold of all that God offers. We can't lay it down before God until we know what we are laying down. Always appreciate your insights sweet friend.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  2. So like the enemy to make us feel like losers, like we'll never make it, like we're just plain inadequate.

    May each morning deliver you a great big dose of God's unfailing kindness and deepest love to you, Bev ...

    Weekend joys, too!

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    1. Linda,
      I'm trying to kick the enemy to the curb on this one! Thank you for your sweet and kind blessing over me!
      Enjoy this weekend that ushers in Spring!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  3. I really needed to read this today, Bev. Thank you for the reminders and encouragement. Having a hard time letting truth sink in deep though. I'm okay. Grateful for many, many things. But inadequacy and that selfishness are lingering. Hugs to you. xoxo

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    1. Beth,
      Oh, am I a remedial learner. It often takes a very long time for truth to sink in, or I find myself revisiting the same spiritual struggles time and time again. More evidence we are human. Praying that God would fill you with all fullness, love, and peace so that inadequacy would have no place in which to sneak in!!
      Love you friend,
      Bev xoxo

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  4. Thank you, Bev, for these spot-on truths about our inadequacy being the perfect opportunity for God to display His power through us. How inspiring to realize "the Lord shines or is glorified when I am at my weakest." We can embrace our inadequacies and step out in faith (as long as we're tackling a God-ordained project). He WILL guide and strengthen. I have to remind myself: just take the one step in front of you; don't worry about all the steps ahead!

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    1. Nancy,
      I needed YOUR reminder. So often I am not just stepping ahead, but I'm trying to hop, skip, and leap yards ahead. His lamp unto my feet promises to guide me one step at a time. Great truth here...thank you!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  5. Oh my goodness you are speaking truth! I often feel inadequate because that little voice gets inside my head and tells me I am. But the voice is not God's and when I read and hear His truth I learn that God loves me weaknesses and all. I love that you referenced 2 Cor. 12 because it is one of my favorite verses and one that brings me much comfort. God's grace is sufficient for me and His power is made perfect in my weakness. It doesn't get better than that. I am so thankful that God is my source of truth and love and grace. Blessings my friend!

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    1. Mary,
      Oh how I hate that little voice that gets in my head. I'm getting better at putting his lies up against Truth and if they don't match up then I need to toss the enemy's lies (easier said than done, but I'm trying). So thankful for our Lord who is our strength when we are weak. Rejoicing with you over His love and grace. Blessings to you sweet friend,
      Bev xx

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  6. There are so many places where I feel inadequate in my life. I can be very stubborn and try to do it my own way. But when I partner with God, allowing His strength to overcome those places, I can do all things. Thanks for sharing at Weekend Whispers. Have a blessed week.

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    1. Barbie,
      I have that same stubborn streak of thinking I need to do it my way and in my own power. Nothing could be farther from the truth. So thankful God is patient with me as I learn to turn things over to Him and do His work through Christ's strength in me.
      Easter Blessings,
      Bev

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  7. Brenda,
    I'm just being me...being in love with Jesus. That, in and of itself, makes me adequate. Thank you for your continued prayers...so appreciated!
    Blessings this Easter,
    Bev xoxo

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  8. When you look at the people God used in the Bible, a lot of them felt inadequate, and I think it's the same today. I'm glad he can use us despite our weaknesses and,as you say, it makes us depend on God and not ourselves and allows his power to flow through us.

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    1. Carly,
      I,too, am thankful for the examples in the Bible of how God can use a rag tag crew to do extraordinary things. I/we just need to make ourselves available. It's truly in my weakness that God is most able to use me. Thanks for your insight, Carly!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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  9. Bev, I am so grateful for the gentle manner in which my inadequacies bring me to the One who is adequate and able to meet each need. It is very humbling indeed to see the way God uses us in spite of ourselves. May you have a most blessed Easter!

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    1. Joanne,
      Amen that He uses us in spite of ourselves. I think...or I know...that I need to get myself out of the way so that He can work through me. It's all about getting over myself.
      A blessed Easter to you sweet friend,
      Bev

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  10. Bev, I love this line, "Human weakness provides the ideal opportunity for the display of divine power." I think we all can relate to that feeling of inadequacy, but, as you've so eloquently put it, we have all that we need in Christ! Yay, God!

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    1. Beth,
      Time and time again He has shown me that He not only can, but often does His best work when I am at my weakest point. It is then that I am ripe for His display of divine power. So thankful we do have all we need in Christ!
      Blessings and have a joyous Easter,
      Bev

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  11. Hi Bev,
    I just love your honesty, friend! How grateful I am that God accepts our shortcomings and always welcomes us back to him with open arms. And I have a feeling you are much harder on yourself than your husband would be! :) xo

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    1. Valerie,
      I love seeing your face pop up here :) I don't know how else to "do" life but honestly. You're right, I am hard on myself. Thanks for the godly reminder to give myself a break. Like God, he accepts my shortcomings. Have a blessed Easter!
      ((Hugs)),
      Bev xo

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  12. Bev, I love this open, honest, transparent post! I, like you, have to keep coming back to Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus"...all my sin--past, present, and future--is covered by the precious blood of Christ...truly, all is grace...many blessings to you!

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    1. Beth,
      Romans 8:1 has always been a "go to" verse for me. You are so right when you say that ALL is grace. My inadequacy is covered. Amen for this reminder!
      Blessings and a joyous Easter to you,
      Bev

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  13. Bev,
    It is so lovely that you are encouraging others through your difficult feelings. The reality is we all feel inadequate because we often compare ourselves to those around us and we are imperfect beings. Thank you for reassuring us that it is okay to feel this way and to look to the Lord for our sufficiency. Thank you for sharing with us at Sitting Among Friends on Wednesdays. I hope we see you again next week.

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    1. Jaime,
      Thank you so much for stopping by!! Welcome. I enjoyed linking up with your community and will definitely be back.
      Blessings,
      Bev

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