Yeah. That’s where I am.
I need answers.
I need confirmation.
And yes, I’ve been praying and searching God’s Word.
Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing?
Or am I doing what I want to do?
Is what I want to do the same thing that God wants me to do?
Is what God wants me to do what I want to do?
Would God really want me to do something I didn’t want to do?
If I am doing what God wants me to do, would I feel inadequate when doing it?
Why do I feel so inadequate?
Why do my feelings of inadequacy affect me so much?
I do thank God for loving me for me, despite all my inadequacies and insecurities. Whether or not I do anything perfectly for the rest of my life, He will still love me.
Dangit … Mama Belle … your worth is not in what you do.
Your worth is in who you are.
And who you are is not determined by what you do.
I so hear what you’re saying. I went through this very thing last month.
http://undergraceovercoffee.typepad.com/andrea/2008/12/not-so-fruit-fu.html
This is what God said to me in response:
http://undergraceovercoffee.typepad.com/andrea/2008/12/and-on-that-not.html
Hang in there.
The feelings of inadequacy are the keys of the devil. He makes you (us!!!) feel like we have to earn the favor of God, when Jesus granted that favor on us on the cross. Your position before God is unchanged regardless of what you do or do not do.
You have the power of the Holy Spirit in your camp. You also have been promised no condemnation from your heavenly Father.
I’ll be praying for you, because I’ve been in that place (and probably will be again… and again… and again…) many, many times.
Something my mama taught me was that Satan knows us and knows our weaknesses and USES THEM!!! That was a really hard lesson for me to learn. And I often find myself re-learning it. I guess that we have to throw ourselves completely at the mercy of the Lord and let him take over for a bit. Good luck!
Oh, Mama Belle. I so understand where you are because I am there myself. I know God called us to this ministry, yet I feel so inadequate to do everything that needs to be done.
And yes, I think God would ask us to do something we feel adequate to do. If I feel I can do it myself, then I don’t need Him and don’t depend on Him to work through me.
However, God never meant us to measure our self worth on our inadequacies!!! Our self worth should be determined by who we are….Children of the King!
Praying for you, friend!
I agree with Rachel (the other one not myself)
You are in my prayers
As I was reading your blog today, all I could think of was…
Be Still and Know That I Am God.
You are asking so many questions that speak of “unrest.” When I am feeling like that, I try to spend time listening to Christian music I enjoy and listen to some favorite radio program’s like “MidDay Connection” and things that just minister to me.
Don’t let Satan discourage you with feelings of inadequacy. That takes your eyes off God and puts them on yourself. I think knowing God’s Will is very hard for us. I often wish for a clearcut instruction, but I think that’s where our faith and our relationship with God comes in.
I feel like I’m preaching and don’t mean to. Just wanted to encourage you. I did want to say that Dr. Stanley has some great things to say along this topic on his In Touch site. Go to the main page and you’ll see some listed on the bottom half and can just listen or watch. I really get a lot out of them.
Dangit is right.
In my own walk, it usually seems that what He wants from me is generally what I don’t want…at first…then He changes my heart. It would be a lot easier if I just wanted it in the first place…but so goes life.
Praying His wisdom for you my friend.
You know that old saying (well, I think it’s old) God doesn’t send the equipped, He equips those He sends.
I love that and I don’t at the same time. I’m pretty sure it means I have to be stretched quite a bit beyond myself for Him to be glorified. It’s hard not knowing EXACTLY and SPECIFICALLY what you are to do. I’m always searching for it and feeling like I haven’t gotten an answer. Sometimes I’m pretty sure I’m ignoring the answer…dangit.
Don’t know if I have ever commented on your blog before…I have definitely lurked on occassion.
I can so relate to this post. I have been there with you…actually I’m right there with you right now.
Thanks for being so honest and sharing. I hear you and feel like I am sitting right there with you. I’m not sure what it is or why, but I’m struggling right now. I will say a prayer for you.
I learned this from Beth Moore’s Believing God study. I have it in my sidebar.
In Ephesians 1:3-7 this is who God says I am.
1. I am blessed.
2. I am chosen.
3. I am adopted.
4. I am loved.
5. I am redeemed.
6. I am forgiven.
7. I am accepted.
So when the satan says you are inadequate, choose instead to believe God!
Remember in our weakness is where God’s strength shows.
If God wants you to do it or tells you to do it – YOU CAN!
Hope you come out of your funk soon:)
I think this compulsion to figure out what we’re doing and if we’re on the right path has to do with this time of year…the new year’s resolutions, goals for the year, etc. Don’t be so hard on yourself. God is going to use you in whatever you’re doing and regardless of how you’re feeling.
I believe feeling inadequate is perfectly acceptable and expected. 2 Cor. 12:9 says, “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you for My strength is made perfect in weakness’. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
When we feel weak, God will be strong for us in whatever the task. That’s when it’s most exciting because we know without a doubt that WE didn’t do it. HE did!
Praying for you. spite that dumb devil and shout a praise to JC!
Oh, and my hubs once told me (not that I’ll admit his wisdom or anything) that, “Andrea, it’s not about you, it’s about Him.” Well, not sure that helped but it made me think (which I equally won’t admit either).
I love your transparency – that’s why you’re my fave 🙂
Our greatest joy, fulfillment, meaning and purpose shall only and always be found in Christ.
All else, is a chasing after the wind.
Eccl. 2 10-11
I agree with so many of the others. Satin gives us doubts, Jesus reassures us with his word.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
There are many unknowns in life. Let go completely, trust.
Jesus promises he will work it out.
God bless you, you are in my prayers.
Sending Warm Fuzzies and ((Hugs)) immediately!
Lot’s of great comments on this one. I don’t have alot of wise word, but i can say I have been there – so, so often. i think it is good to step back and question sometimes. I think God puts us in that place to draw closer to him and confirm our beliefs.
Growth is a good thing.
Remember that feelings are real … they just aren’t always factual.