I’ve been feeling inadequate lately.
It seems life is busier than ever, and there are more things to get done than time to do them. And I’m doubting if I can do the tasks given to me and do them well. Yep, I’m fighting the battle of inadequacy. Every day I find myself telling God, “I can’t do this.”
Maybe you’re fighting the battle of inadequacy, too.
God, I can’t be a good mom, or a good wife. I can’t do this job. I can’t lead this ministry. I can’t meet those deadlines.
Every time I say, I can’t, God reminds me, “You’re right. You can’t. But I can. Trust Me. Draw from My strength. I will make you adequate for what I have called you to do.”
Joshua fought the battle of inadequacy after the death of Moses when God told Him he was the one who would lead the Israelites into Canaan for the conquest. Imagine what Joshua must have felt and thought.
But I’m not Moses.
The people will never follow me.
I don’t have what it takes.
I don’t think I can do this, God.
And God gave Joshua words of encouragement in Joshua 1:5–6:
“Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong
and courageous . . .”
I’ve been feeling like Joshua lately—doubting if I could do what God has asked of me, doubting if I can do what people are asking of me.
But God keeps reminding me of His words to Joshua:
I will be with you. I will not fail you. I will not leave you on your own to accomplish this. Be strong, be courageous, and draw your adequacy from Me. (Crickett’s paraphrase)
We will never be adequate on our own strength. The key to adequacy is drawing from the strength of God who makes us adequate for what He calls us to.
As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3:5:
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God . . .”
Are you fighting the battle of inadequacy today? Where are you looking for help?
What verses encourage you when you’re feeling inadequate?
When you say I can’t, remember He can.
