Have you ever seen people in your life being used by God in amazing ways, and thought some version of “I feel inadequate; there's no way I could ever do something like that”? You see how they pray, and hear stories of how God is doing extraordinary things through their sacrificial service. Then, you look at yourself.
You look at your super rushed mornings, that moment you just snapped at your coworker, or the lack of consistent Bible reading and think God can't possibly use you.
Can I Really Make a Difference?
I often see a friend serving at church—pouring into middle school girls' lives—or someone who just started mentoring a new believer, and then I look at my life and feel inadequate.
We know our spiritual enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. In my case, Satan just loves to steal the truth of who I am and replace it with destructive lies—he loves to whisper things like, “You could never be as helpful as them, your faith is not strong enough,” or, “You couldn't serve at church; you aren't talented enough.” These whispers fill my mind, and I find myself sticking to the safe things in life and not stepping out in faith.
You Are Who God Says You Are
But a few weeks ago, I read the story of Gideon, a guy from the smallest clan of Israel. God handpicked him to save His people from the Midianites, who had been raiding the land. Gideon was hiding in a winepress when God selected him and called him to action as a leader to deliver the Israelites. We hear this interesting greeting:
When the angel of the Lᴏʀᴅ appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lᴏʀᴅ is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 NIV
Even though the angel of the Lord saw Gideon hiding, he referred to him as a mighty warrior. I imagine Gideon hearing these words and then looking over his shoulder to see who this fierce angel was talking to. Then, when Gideon realized no one else was there, he basically said to the angel of the Lord, “Who, me?”
When God looks at us, He sees the person He will shape us into!
Gideon was so quick to question the identity the angel of the Lord proclaimed over him. But when God looks at us, He sees the person He will shape us into! Gideon did not believe he was a leader, and he certainly did not see himself as a mighty warrior. But that is exactly what the Lord saw when He looked at Gideon.
6 Bible Verses About Feeling Inadequate
Just like Gideon, we may often feel inadequate and ill-equipped to do God's work. But Scripture reminds us that God sees what we can't, and He equips the called, instead of calling the equipped. When God calls you to serve, give, share the gospel, or help others, the first step to doing God's work is to see yourself the way God sees you. Scripture is filled with proclamations and promises of how God sees you:
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Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -John 1:12
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For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love -Ephesians 1:4
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They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” -Revelation 17:14
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For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. -Psalm 139:13-14
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For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -Ephesians 2:10
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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16
Light is easily hidden in the winepresses of this life. When Gideon was called out by God, he felt unprepared and inadequate, but God used him to conquer the entire Midianite army with only 300 men! As I read the story of Gideon, the Holy Spirit called me to action.
Find Peace in Christ
For a long time, I felt like I was being called to serve on the worship team, but I felt inadequate and unqualified. In reading Gideon's story, I saw myself. It reminded me who God is and who He says I am.
He showed me that He is enough, and He has equipped me to do anything He calls me to. I felt worthless, but in God's eyes, I'm worthy. God created me with a purpose, so I can believe a better story about myself. And God gave me gifts and talents I can use to love my neighbors. So I stepped out in faith and applied! Sometimes the Lord is calling us to just take that first step of faith, believing that He has equipped you.
Gideon ended up being transformed into that foreshadowed “mighty warrior” when he chose to step out in faith and trust God. I challenge you today to step out of your comfort zone and into the calling that God is fully equipping you for!