I Don’t Think I Can Syndrome
Galatians 6:4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.
Gideon ….. I am the smallest and the weakest Judges 6:15
Moses…. I don’t know what to say, can’t speak clearly Exodus 4:10-31, 6:30
Peter….. I will never deny you, then ran…… Matthew 26:31-35, Luke 22:31-38, John 13:37-38
Many of us contend with the failure thoughts of, “I can’t, don’t know how to” syndrome. Syndromes generally have a few different symptoms. In this case symptoms consist of insecurity, doubt, being unaware of strengths, fear of failure or being judged by others, believing your skills are not as good as someone you have compared yourself with, laziness, selfishness, and of course the list has many more items on it. Gideon was from the lowest clan and he was the youngest in his household, therefore God must be mistaken. Certainly, Gideon was not a leader and he could not lead Israel into war and succeed. ‘I am the youngest, and from the weakest clan. You did hear this, God, right? You do know this. I don’t have any military background. How can I compared to…?’
Moses felt he was not a clear speaker. Initially, he argued with God because of his inability to speak well. Was he a stutterer? Was he shy dealing with others? Did he doubt his abilities? I think he probably did di stutter, stumbled over words, phrases, and sometimes, especially if nervous, took a long time to present his meaning cohesively and coherently. After all, he’d spent much of his adult life out in the desert. I think he certainly doubted his speaking abilities; he was self- conscious of his “lack,” real or unreal, and as we all know, that can make us worse at whatever we believe we are not good enough doing.
God then appointed Aaron to help his brother, Moses. I always thought it a little odd that Aaron and Miriam re-connected with Moses since he was raised in Pharaoh’s home. (Were they allowed to visit as children? How did they keep in contact when Moses disappeared after killing an Egyptian? He was supposed to be out in the desert. (That’s on my list of questions to ask when I get Home.)
But nonetheless, they reconnected and Moses was chosen by God to lead his people from Egypt into the Promised Land. God delegated Aaron to be the voice, the one who spoke God’s commands and if disobedience were to follow, the consequences of not obeying God’s commands.
We all know Pharaoh had a very hardened heart, and continually agreed and then would not follow through on the orders, sinning, and causing a lot of misery in Egypt. (Don’t you wonder how long this occurred? I think if this occurred over a short time, one thing happening almost before there could be recovery, before another calamity, I believe I might have begged to run with the Jewish people.)
Peter, too, had his fears and insecurities. He declared his love for his Lord, was hurt that Jesus questioned him three times as to his love, and with each Jesus gave him a command to care for His sheep, people. But when confronted with the violence of Jesus’ arrest, and trying to find out how the “trial” was going, Peter denied he even knew Jesus, let alone had shared quarters with him and the others for several months.
Each of these doubted their own abilities, strengths, and selves. But it was God who was with and leading them. God only wants us to trust in Him. He is the strength, the one who enables us to use our gifts and to be serving Him as He directs our path. But we tend to think of me, my abilities, I am unfit, unable, unskilled, and forget, at least for a while, God directs, guides, leads, and equips for any task, to any person He wants, to do a specific task.
Certainly, I am ‘comparison’ person. I admire others for skills, humor, abilities, easy-going manner, and a myriad of other talents and attributes, and I used to think, ‘I would love to have that…’ Over time, reading God’s word, listening to bible teachings, fellowship gatherings, and just growing in Him, I know that is not what God wants me to do. He has given me my own skill set, and He will enable me to carry out the tasks He directs for me with what I have, or will supply me with what I need for His walk.
So, know you walk in good company even if you doubt, think you are not enough. You have the same thoughts that Gideon, Moses and Peter had, and they all excelled.
I am grateful for the skills You have given for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
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