Inadequate

I don’t think I am alone in this, but quite often I feel rather inadequate. Inadequate to do my job properly, inadequate as a mum, inadequate as a wife, a friend, a sister and inadequate to meet God’s standards. I sometimes wonder why I continue to keep trying or bother trying. When I try to do the best I can I still feel INADEQUATE!!

As a result of one of my inadequacies, I decided 9 weeks ago to buy a devotional book about women of the Bible that lasts for a year. I wanted to make it all the way through from July 2024 to July 2025 reading about one woman from the Bible each week. I didn’t know what to expect from it or how I would feel. I have learnt about Eve, Sarah, Hagar, Lot’s wife (who isn’t named), Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Tamar (daughter in law of Judah) and Potiphar’s wife (who isn’t named).

These women of the Bible so far have lied, laughed at God, schemed and been dishonest, their families have been torn apart by murder, deceitfulness and banishment, they have been anxious and impatient, they have been slaves, stubborn, jealous and they have been incestuous and impersonated a prostitute. I have often wondered how inadequate these women must have felt in their respective situations.

I think a lot of people from the Bible, male and female, have felt inadequate to do their job properly, inadequate as a mum or dad, inadequate as a wife or husband and inadequate to meet God’s standards. Paul, Moses and Jeremiah are just a few men of the Bible who felt inadequate to do the job God wanted them to do….BUT…..the good news is….. they are all people God has used to bring about salvation for the world. They are real people who struggle over infertility, worry about their children, long for affection, not fluent with speech, strive for wisdom, feel too inexperienced or weak and doubt God’s real intentions for their lives.

I have been so encouraged by learning about these women. If inadequate men and women can be named in Jesus’ genealogy, then I have no need to fear inadequacy. God does not call the equipped or adequate, he equips and makes adequate those he calls. It is easy for us to be proud of what we are good at but God’s power is revealed most when we are inadequate.

So…I just stay feeling inadequate???? I hope not. I believe it is human to feel inadequate but it is godly to realise that God doesn’t need our abilities and strengths to do his work. He just needs our willingness and obedience. Absolutely nothing to do with our inadequacy at all. Phew! Praise God for that.

Tania