I found four publicly published errors before 7:00 AM. I’d literally screwed up everything for the Candid Moments launch. Luckily, I could fix them before too many people noticed.
Then I left for an errand and realized I’d forgotten to put my teeth in. Again.
Since the cognitive damage and memory impairment were worse than normal that day, I planned a simple supper: plain baked chicken, box dressing, and canned corn. And I under-cooked the chicken.
After supper, my husband stomped through the living room carrying a basket of laundry muttering something about “the laundry you said you were going to do this afternoon…”
I choked out an apology, helped with the laundry, and cracked open a wine cooler.
Have you ever felt unworthy of your calling? Incapable of basic life? Less than other women? I do. Many days.
And on these days, I cling to Jesus. Because He died for me so I don’t have to be worthy, capable, or measure up to anything. Because His grace (power) lives in me, I can move on from failure and disappointment.
Have you ever felt unworthy of your calling? Incapable of basic life? Less than other women? Find 6 Promises of God for When You Feel Inadequate on Candidly Christian. Click To TweetAnd when I lean on Him and surrender my agenda for His, He takes my mess and uses it to spread His message of redemption.
When I fail in my calling as a wife, a mother, or a writer, I cling to the promises that Jesus turns my failures into faith, hope, and love.
So today I share God’s promises for your calling to encourage you.
6 Promises of God for when you feel Inadequate in Your Calling
1) You are Perfectly Created for Your Purpose
First, God had a plan. Then He created you perfectly to fulfill it. This means you are perfectly suited to accomplish the purpose you were made for.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV
2) You Are More Than Enough
When we lay lean on Jesus, He can do more through us than we can ever think or do on our own.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV
3) Your Gifts are Just Right for Your Purpose
God gave you a unique set of gifts in differing amounts, according to what He knew you’d need for your calling.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:6 NIV
4) You Are Never Alone
Jesus promised to be with you always.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Matthew 28:20 NIV
5) You Have Help
God doesn’t give you a job without help. As long as you are obedient to Him, He will work through you to complete your calling.
He who calls you is faithful and He will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV
6) Your Purpose is for Good
Even when it doesn’t look like things are going well, God will work everything to draw you and those around you closer to Jesus.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Applying God’s Promises for your Calling
God isn’t a genie in a bottle, so His promises don’t just magically come true. A promise has two parties, so we must understand and keep our part, too.
How to Seek His Purpose for You
Many people spend their entire lives wondering what God’s purpose is for them. After over-thinking this question for a few decades, I realized it boils down to what I can do in this moment.
I seek His will for me in three ways: Scripture, prayer, and music.
Click here for 22 Top Bible Verse About God’s Will & Plan on BibleStudyTools.com.
Here is the prayer I wrote on dry-erase tape and stuck to my laptop:
Lord, Thank You for the daily gift of Your wisdom. Help me embrace Your delight to fulfill Your plans according to Your will. Amen.
And at the end of this post, I offer you the song I’ve had as my ringtone for the last two years. Every time I get a call, Here I Am by Jeremy Camp reminds me to give my day to Jesus.
Your Part of the Promise
God loves you too much to force His plans on you, so all that He asks is for you to trust Him. If you surrender your control for His will, get out of the way, and let God be God, He will make beauty from all of your ashes.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Your Turn
Bishop Neal A. Maxwell said: God does not begin by asking our ability, only our availability, and if we prove our dependability, He will increase our capability.
How will you make yourself available for your calling today?
Oh yes, Valerie, I have had days like that, where I seem not able to do the normal. Such truth here, ” I don’t have to be worthy, capable, or measure up to anything. Because His grace (power) lives in me, I can move on from failure and disappointment.” Thanks for this encouragement. God’s expectations are different than our expectations.
“God’s expectations are different than our expectations” – I love that. May we both lean on Him to align our expectations with His.
Thank you, Valerie, this is exactly what I needed this morning. I was feeling wholly inadequate, ill-equipped for a task that’s basically been shoved on me, and all alone without help. So your points hit on so many things I was needing to hear.
Thank you for being transparent and letting God speak through you.
Oh, Shery, I’m so glad this lifted you up this morning. Your comment means the world to me. Thank you! Good luck with your task.
Thank you, Valerie. Today I was feeling inadequate at my job. I read this and feel better now. Thanks for sharing this post. Blessings for you.
Miguel, I’m really glad this helped you get through your workday. Feelings are certainly very real, but they also sometimes lie. I was having a moment too, and your comment lifted me up. Thank you for helping me feel better. 🙂
Hi Valerie
I am a believer.
I have migraines, generalised anxiety disorder and mild depression.
Am also a practicing pathologist in a mission hospital in rural central India.
Wife and mother of two boys.
Sometimes the anxiety is paralyzing.
Would love to hear your story.
Hi Lisa, I’m sorry to hear of all you’re going through. I understand how paralyzing anxiety can be. Please know you’re not alone. Believers struggle, too, but we have hope in Jesus. You can find most of my story in a few posts, including Reaching for Jesus, When You Wake Up In The Wilderness, Learning To Speak Boldly for Christ & My Candid Confession, 5 Bible Verses to Help You Memorize Scripture (for the memory impaired), and the book Talking With Jesus. You’ll be in my prayers.