Getting Through the Season of Inadequacy

A new teacher was trying to teach her students how to have self esteem. She started her class by saying, "Anyone who thinks they are dumb stand up!"

She didn’t think anyone would stand. She just wanted to make the point that no one was dumb.

After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood up.

She didn’t know quite what to do. She said, "Now Johnny, do you really feel like you’re dumb?"

He said "No, ma’am, I just hate to see you standing there all by yourself!"

There are times when we feel like we’re all by ourselves. As a parent, you might have this feeling once in a while. You try your best to raise your kids. You do everything you can. But they don’t listen to you. They put their hands on their hips and go “Uhhhh!!!!”

And you get so frustrated that you want to throw up your hands and say, "Lord, I can’t do this! I feel like a failed parent! I feel inadequate!"

We’ve all been there. We all know what it’s like to feel a lack of confidence. Like we’re not good enough. At one point, Barbra Streisand went 20 years without giving a public concert. Because she felt inadequate. She’s got one of the most awesome voices in popular music, and even SHE feels inadequate!

I want to talk briefly about some other situations where we might feel inadequate. Then we’ll look at Jeremiah chapter one and see how God helps us when we feel inadequate.

One situation where we might feel inadequate is applying for a job. You lose your job, and for the first time in years, you have to prepare a resume and fill out applications. And pretty soon, you’re competing with hundreds of other people for the precious few job openings that are available. You might be tempted to say “I give up! Even if I’m lucky enough to get picked, I don’t know if I can start over and learn a whole new job at age whatever. I feel inadequate.”

That’s why I like Philippians 4:13. It says “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Instead of cowering in fear behind our feelings of inadequacy, we can draw inspiration and strength from the adequacy of Jesus Christ! Jesus is the One who gives us the confidence to move forward in faith! Instead of saying ’I can’t do it,’ we should say “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives me strength.” With God in my life, I don’t have to spend the rest of my life feeling inadequate. With God in my life, I don’t have to be a quitter. With God in my life, there’s no mountain I can’t climb. There’s no task I can’t accomplish. There’s no project I can’t complete!"

Another situation where we might feel inadequate is preparing for your confirmation exam. You say “I have to give two speeches, plus I have to memorize the answers to 35 Bible jeopardy questions, plus I have to memorize all my Bible verses. I feel scared. I feel inadequate!”

I know what you mean. Even now, after 13 years, I still get butterflies in my tummy before I give the sermon. And that’s why I like Luke 12:11-12. It says “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” So when you give your confirmation speech, you’re not going to be up here by yourself. You’re going to have the Holy Spirit! He’s going to help you say what you need to say! He’s going to give you strength to stand before