God’s Grace Is Enough: Finding Strength When You Feel Inadequate

Summary

Persistent feelings of inadequacy marked my ministry journey, yet God used them to teach dependence on His grace. As trust shifted from self to God, His strength consistently met every need. Scripture reminds us that God’s power works best in weakness. Through prayer and reliance on His promises, believers can face challenges with confidence, knowing Christ’s grace is sufficient in every situation.

During my first pastorate, I frequently felt inadequate. I had an uneasy feeling that some future demand would be more than I could handle. It would prove my incompetence and torpedo my pastoral Titanic to the sea floor.

I had reason for concern. I had never done a funeral, wedding, baptism, hospital visitation, counseling, or any other normal pastoral duty. Attending seminary taught me how to preach and teach, but not much about day-to-day ministry.

Moreover, I wasn’t a people person in a profession that demanded much contact with people. Spending time with people drains me emotionally.

Living With a Persistent Sense of Inadequacy

That feeling of inadequacy persisted into my second pastorate. Life as a pastor was never predictable. An emergency phone call often turned my world upside down in an eye blink.

I felt inadequate when I took a staff position at the Eastern Regional Conference of the Churches of God. Even though I was sure that was where God wanted me to serve.

Called by God Despite Feeling Unprepared

Several months before I was hired, I had the closest thing to a vision I have ever experienced. It was revealed that the staff position was the next step in my ministry.

Going into my interview for the job, I had one hundred percent assurance I would be hired, but I never mentioned the vision to those who interviewed me.

Learning to Trust God’s Adequacy

As time passed and my devotional life improved, my trust in God’s adequacy grew. I began to walk into new situations, not knowing what I would say or do but trusting that God would supply whatever grace I needed to be a blessing to others. He did. Repeatedly.

Strength Revealed Through Weakness

“Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT). I was experiencing that power as I stepped out in faith.

God's Grace Is Enough

I am learning that God's grace is enough. It is all I need. It is all any of us need. I pray 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV at least once daily and usually more.

Here is what I pray: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you [physically, emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, mentally, relationally, financially, and vocationally]; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”

When I am feeling the least bit anxious, that is my prayer. It helps me feel sufficient for the challenge, as nothing else can. Jesus is enough for the challenge. Give it a try!

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)