Moving Beyond Feelings of Inadequacy

Have you ever felt like hiding yourself from the world? Perhaps you didn't feel quite up to doing something you needed to or maybe you just felt inadequate for no particular reason. Not long ago, I experienced a time like this myself. A recent series of events had left me feeling as if I was not talented enough, not liked enough and not equipped to accomplish some of the things that God has placed in my heart to do. Staying in this place of feeling inadequate and wanting to hide from the world would not bring anything good or fruitful but it was difficult for me to move past feeling sorry for myself. I kept replaying the scenario of where I felt I had failed over and over in my head. And I let what I thought to be the negative perceptions about me from others take root.

While experiencing the times of feeling weak or inadequate, it can help to have a friend or family member you can call on for support. Sometimes though, it seems like no one understands or is even available to listen to you as you share your struggle. Whether your struggle comes from a rational feeling or not, you may feel even more isolated and unloved after perceiving that no one is there for you.

But there's good news. God is always there, ready to listen. His word reassures us and provides wisdom and clarity. The affirmations and peace we may be desperately seeking from others, come to us through Him. What a great blessing it is to know that God is always there, ready to encourage us and lift us up when we need it most.

Here are a few scriptures to help when you are feeling inadequate:

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Isaiah 40: 30-31

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.