Member Care Tips - Part 9

There are times I feel inadequate. I feel inadequate to perform the ministry God has called me to. I feel inadequate to be the person God wants me to be. I believe many of us experience self doubt. One of the attacks of the enemy is to put those thoughts of inadequacy into our minds to discourage us.

One of my favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 3:5

"Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,"

The first thing I notice from this verse is the opposite of feelings or thoughts of inadequacy is not self confidence. The Bible does not teach us to become more self confident. The Bible teaches us to have more faith in God.

My adequacy does not come from inside of me, lest we boast of our accomplishments. Self confidence can easily lead to pride.

Your adequacy comes from God. God equips those He calls. That is so freeing. God makes me sufficient to be and do what God has called me to be and do. God gives you and I the Holy Spirit to empower us. You do not have to muster up the strength. You do not have to be good enough, fast enough, or strong enough.

Through the Holy Spirit God has given you everything you need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). You do not grow in self confidence but in God confidence.

You do not need to be more self reliant but God dependent.

Then God gets all the glory. I cannot boast or take the credit.

So if you feel inadequate for the calling God has given you, you are in a good place. Spend time with Jesus. Seek a fresh filling of His Spirit, depend more on Him. Increase your faith in God not yourself.

You are not to be more self reliant but God dependent.