Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV)
Sometimes we feel that we just don’t measure up. We feel that we fall short and aren’t deserving of good things, or even God’s grace.
No human being escapes feeling inadequate at one time or another. Even great leaders have wrestled with low self-esteem or lack of confidence. Remember Moses? God told him that he would lead the Israelites out of bondage. Moses gave God not one, but five excuses as to why he wasn’t the man for the mission. His fourth excuse was based on feeling inadequate. Moses felt that his stutter would keep people from viewing him as a leader. But God told Moses that not only was he aware of his stutter, He had given it to him in the first place! With God, his speech problem was no problem at all. (Exodus 4:10)
That’s what I want you to know today, my friends. The things you feel inadequate about are no problem if you have God with you! Some of the things you feel “less than” about, are things that God gave you. Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God said so.
When you feel inadequate, say out loud, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Give thanks and praise to for His works (you!) are wonderful.
One of the most powerful lessons in the Bible, in my very humble opinion, is Exodus 3:14. God spoke to Moses and said, “I Am who I Am.” What we say we are, we are. The next time you feel less than, don’t say, “I am weak,” or ” I am inadequate,” for you will believe this. It will become your reality. Say instead, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
The power of the words I am, is strong. Be mindful to finish the sentence “I am…” with words that exalt God’s work in you, instead of highlighting what you fear is inadequate in yourself.
I am wonderfully made! Yes, I am. So you are, my friend. Believe it.