“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5)
“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.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Satan would make you feel either you’re better than anyone else, so take pride in yourself over others. Or, you’re useless and God wouldn’t have anything to do with you. That’s what the Devil is really good at, twisting your mind.
So, what do I as a child of God do about all that?
First, come before Him daily as a beggar in need of help only He can give, and acknowledge your inadequacy to God. Joni Eareckson Tada says, “Deny your weakness, and you will never realize God’s strength in you.” God told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Anything that makes you lean on God is a plus and not a minus.
Second, stop putting yourself down. You say, “But I lack the qualifications to do the job.” God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. How? By filling them with His Spirit. “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit” (Joel 2:28-29). God isn’t limited by age, gender, race, or academic status. The only thing that limits Him is the limit you place on yourself or allow others to.
Third, don’t buy it. Advertisers spend billions of dollars to convince you that without their product you are inadequate or incomplete. Don’t believe them! Begin to say, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
Fourth, view the excellence or superior performance of someone else as a source of motivation rather than intimidation. Meanwhile, don’t lose sight of your unique giftedness. Yes, you are gifted in some areas. “Having then gifts differ according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6, NKJV).
Prayer
Father, I thank You for the blessings You have given me, and my hope is in Your promises. Strengthen me in my walk, increase my faith in times of trouble, and let me sing of the joys You daily bring to me!
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
