What stops us from trying new things or taking risks? I have found that it is usually rooted in a fear of failure. That fear often times will slow down my obedience to God. This is especially the case when God is asking me to do something out of my comfort zone or something I am not an “expert” in.
Why do we fear failure when it comes to doing what God has asked us to do? Many times, it is because we feel inadequate. We feel like we aren’t good enough, we don’t know enough, or we aren’t talented enough. And this isn’t just a present-day thing. It is all throughout the Bible.
Moses felt he couldn’t talk well enough. Ruth thought she wasn’t important enough. Jeremiah, the prophet, told God he was too young and didn’t speak well. The list can go on. So if you are feeling inadequate to do what God has asked, you are in good company!
Despite these feelings of inadequacy, God continued to press upon these people what they needed to do. And he didn’t just send them in unprepared. God gave them what they needed.
In fact, the Bible tells us that God will give us what we need in order to do what he has asked.
All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
What is this scripture saying? It is saying that God has given us his word. That word, the Bible, equips us to do everything he is asking us to do. Living our lives in line with the Bible will equip us to do anything God has asked us to do.
Why? Because God wants us to be equipped for all the good works that he has in store for us to accomplish. When the word in Greek for “adequate” implies a completeness, and a special aptitude. This means that God makes sure we are complete and given all the special things we need to do his tasks.
You may be thinking, “the Bible doesn’t say anything specifically about _________.” So how is this helpful?
The Bible repeatedly tells us that if we ask for things in order to accomplish the mission he has given us, he will freely and abundantly give us what we ask for.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 15:7
And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
1 John 3:22
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
James 4:3
However, the catch is that we have to ask within his will. If God gives us a task to do, he will equip us. Whatever we need to accomplish it, he will give it to us. But it has to be regarding the tasks he has set before us.
So even though the Bible doesn’t specifically tell me how to become an author, or how to write better, or even what to write about, the Bible does promise that if I ask within God’s will, he will give me what I need.
So every time you start to feel inadequate in God’s calling on your life, use that insecurity to drive you to Scripture. God will speak to you through his word. He will teach you, correct you, train you, or give you reproof. He will speak truth into the situation so that you can pray for the right things. His word will embolden you to continue on in the tasks he has laid before you.
And before you know it, you will be on your way to flying, not failing.
- What has God called you to do?
- Are feeling inadequate? Why?
- Are there instances in the Bible where others have had similar insecurities?
- How did God help them when they continued pressing on doing God’s will?
- Take some time to pray to God and ask him for strength and courage. Seek out the Holy Spirit and ask for what you need in order to accomplish God’s task.
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