Do You Sometimes Feel Inadequate?

To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 2 Corinthians 2:16

In Second Corinthians chapter two Paul asks the question, ‘Who is equal to such a task?’ And in chapter three he answers it: ‘Our competence comes from God’ (2 Corinthians 3:5). We’re aware of our limitations when it comes to meeting the needs of our families, fulfilling the demands of our jobs, persevering in spite of the energy drain and the chronic pain, battling a long-standing habit, learning a new job after being laid off, staying in a difficult marriage, and finding the strength needed to keep forging ahead when our dreams fail. We pretend we’ve got it together. We act like we’re capable of handling any situation, but deep down we know we’re not. The truth is, without God’s grace and power we are inadequate. This can be a tough concept for proud, assertive types to accept. It undermines their ego to have to acknowledge that without God they don’t know the right thing to do, the right way to do it, or where the power to do it will come from. It’s tough for them to admit they must consciously rely on Him at all times. But once you adopt that stance and start depending on God, you’re on the threshold of the life you’ve always wanted. What was the secret of Paul’s strength? ‘I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become’ (2 Corinthians 12:10). D.L. Moody said, ‘When a man has no strength, if he leans on God he becomes powerful.’ Regardless of how long you’ve walked with Jesus, never forget that every ounce of your adequacy comes from Him.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to walk and rely on You for my strength and hope and salvation and not on my own. Thank You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen