Bible

[tenac]

Inadequacy as a Blessing
READ | 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Inadequacy can be a roadblock to doing the Lord’s will—it can deter us from stepping out in faith to accomplish what God calls us to do. It’s no sin to feel insufficient, but we can transgress by not attempting to surmount that sentiment. In contrast, a right response to shortcomings can turn inadequacy to blessing.

Even the apostle Paul felt inadequate,but he didn’t allow his feelings to hold him prisoner and prevent his sharing the Gospel. Instead, he allowed recognition of his limitations to drive him closer to God. For believers, the correct reaction is more prayer and biblical meditation so that our reliance upon the Lord strengthens.As we shed the burden of walking in our own strength, we become motivated to work in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God’s Spirit enables us to achieve whatever it is we are called to do. The disciples followed Jesus for three years, but His final instructions left no doubt concerning their limitations: Go and tell the world about Me after you have received the Holy Spirit’s power. Jesus’ chosen men were inadequate too. (Acts 1:4-8)

But our inadequacy enables God to demonstrate the great things He can do with so little. Remember that Moses and David were mere shepherds,and Gideon was least among Israel’s men (Judges 6:15), yet the Lord accomplished amazing feats through them.

Our inadequacy can actually turn out to be a blessing by driving us into a stronger relationship with God.We can humbly say with Paul,“I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

by Charles Stanley