Feeling inadequate does not mean we are lacking the skills or talent to accomplish our goals, visions and dreams. We may feel that we are not able to accomplish the task that is before us. Sometimes we talk ourselves out of doing something before we ever take the first step. Then we begin to question God and we ask him to confirm what his will is for our life. He has already given us the plan and the directions and we let our feelings get in the way of moving out in faith. God’s word tells us we should walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). The paths God put us on require faith. Our Christian life is about walking in faith, blindly going where God sends us. Walking blindly does not mean walking with our eyes closed. It means putting our trust in God and knowing that he will not lead us astray. Walking with a knowing that God is guiding our footsteps every step of the way.
God will not put us on a path, without equipping us for the tasks ahead of us. I know that God is with me every step of the way. But it seems that every step I take I still feel inadequate. I feel I will not measure up or I will not finish what I set out to do. The dictionary says that inadequacy is the inability to deal with a situation or with life. Many times in my life I have quit when things have gotten tough or difficult. I would rationalize in my mind that maybe that was not meant for me to do or maybe it was not the right time to do it.
I allowed fear to take root in my heart. Haven’t we all done this? When it is time to step out in faith we let fear of the unknown stop us. But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Wherever God is sending you or asking you to do, just know he will equip you for the task. He will not leave you hanging. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8). All you have to do is trust and believe in him. Have faith that he will take care of you.
In Jeremiah 1:6-8 it states, Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. “
Jeremiah is young and he feels he is not qualified for what God wants him to do. He tells God that they are not going to listen to me, a child trying to tell adults what they should or should not do. Jeremiah feels inadequate for the task that God has given him.
Have you ever experienced God telling you to say something to someone and you were not sure how they will receive it? Has God tried to move you out of your comfort zone? Has he told you to step out in faith to do something?
Jeremiah felt inadequate and he felt he was not equipped to handle what God wanted him to do. We all have felt this way, at one time. God told Jeremiah not to worry, just go where I tell you to go and say what I tell you to say. He tells him don’t be afraid of them. I will make them listen to what you have to say. If they try to harm you, I will deliver you from any harm or danger. I am with you always, don’t worry.
When God sends you somewhere you don’t have to worry because his word says, “He is a present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).” You don’t have to be afraid of what man might do when you are obedient to the Lord. God will be with you every step of the way
I was feeling just like Jeremiah inadequate, ill equipped and just plain afraid of the unknown. But once I read this scripture and God reminded me that He will be with me until the end. I don’t have to be afraid of the unknown. I just have to believe that he will make sure I am equipped for the task he has given me.
It is easy to have dreams and visions, but it takes trust and faith in God to step out and make those dreams and visions a reality. We all make excuses for our inaction. I would do it, but…. We tell ourselves the moment is not right. I am waiting until my kids grow up. I don’t have the money or the resources to do that right now. I just want you to know the moment will never feel right to you. God thinks differently than we do. His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). He thinks beyond today or this moment. He knows our future.
I have wasted so many years doing nothing because I rationalized in my own mind the time was not right. I used to write stories in my mind, but never put them on paper. I would have dreams about different scenarios and stories. But I let fear of the unknown, fear of what other people would say and the fear of failure stop me from stepping out in faith. Now here I am at 54 years old getting ready to step out in faith and write my first book. Yes it might not be a best seller and it might not get the approval of others, but it will be a milestone for me. Because then I will know that dreams don’t die. I will know that God has been with me every step of the way and all I had to do was step out in faith and do his will.
Today if you have something on your heart that God has given you to do. Just step out in faith, believing and trusting him to help see you through. You are not too old to do the will of God. Abraham and Sarah were old, but they still trusted and believed that God would give them a child. Just trust and believe that God will not lead you astray. Dreams don’t die.
Love you and God bless.
LSW
Linda Sharp-Williams 