The apostle Paul: 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
Negative thoughts are common to everyone. Even the apostle Paul, one of the greatest men who ever lived, had weaknesses and flaws in his life that caused him to wonder if he had anything God could use. But God can use any life powerfully, no matter how unqualified, broken, or insignificant you feel.
Our tendency (and Satan loves it!) is to look at our lives through a lens of limitations. We measure our worth by the mistakes we’ve made, our lack of any notable superpower, or the critical evaluations we’ve accumulated through life. We think, “If I had a better background, God could use me.” “If I hadn't failed so many times, I would have a chance.” “I am too ordinary. How could I ever make a difference?” It’s all a big lie. This lie of inadequacy strangles our hopes and futures.
The truth is, God can use your life powerfully, no matter how unqualified, broken, or insignificant you feel. When the lie tries to slither into your life, remind yourself that God specializes in using imperfect, weak, and unqualified people to do His greatest work. This lie focuses entirely on us – our strength, our resume, and our perfection, which never seem enough. But God focuses on our hearts. available and surrendered to Him, flaws and all. That’s just what He needs.
Think about your favorite Bible characters, the ones you say you want to talk to when you get to heaven. Moses stuttered and was so frightened he made every excuse imaginable, yet God saw him as the man he could use to rescue a nation. David was a lowly shepherd boy ignored even by his own father and scoffed at by his brothers, yet he was chosen by God to lead Israel.
Stories like those are not only found in the Bible but are also found in the histories of the people you admire most today. None of these people have been used because they had it all together. They were used because they traded their self-focused doubts for God-focused trust. God’s power shone through their weaknesses.
You can defeat the lie. You do it when you admit your weakness but make yourself available to God for Him to use you however He chooses.
- God, I know I am broken and imperfect, but You see worth in me. Use me as Your tool. I am available – all of me.