How to Actually Conquer Your Fear of Inadequacy
Sometime in 2005 the desire to be an orator for God began. It was about the same time that I was drawn to writing “A Broken and Contrite Heart.” I began to study, pray, and journal as I prepared to write this book. Occasional words of poetry began to be also in my journal. Still there was another voice inside that paralyzed me from continuing, “Why would God choose me to speak or write? I had speech therapy as a child and I still sometimes stutter when I get nervous. I don’t have any special talent like comedy or singing to draw the people. I am just me. If the people look deep and discover how often I have failed in this Christian walk, the times I have been filled with trembling fear, or lost my way because of jealousy-anger; they might condemn me. Instead of helping God, I might just mess things up. Why would anyone want to hear my story?” Still, deep within me a soft voice pushed me forward.
[bctt tweet=”The next step to your Destiny is Now!!”]
JUST TELL YOUR STORY
Then, I heard David Ring say, “If you want to make an impact for Christ, just tell your story.” So, I began; but only intermittently until emergency surgery forced me to sit down for two months. I had to smile, as I told God, “I guess I have run out of excuses. I will finish the book now.” I did and I published it later that year. My hesitation had been my own fear of inadequacy. I was so afraid that I might fail God in what I wrote. Or worse, if I let people too close and they see my scars will God be embarrassed of me. Sound familiar? It is the story of almost every one of God’s Biblical Heroes of Faith. God was so kind that in each of their stories, He included all the blemishes and all the failures in the narratives of their stories. Yet, in Hebrews 11; they still were the heroes. That is God’s amazing Grace and love. He chooses ordinary people (like me) to do His extraordinary work.
MOSES—EXCUSES, FEARS, AND GOD’S CHOSEN HERO
If you look closely at the story of Moses; you will see that he ran in fear. He became complacent as a sheepherder far away from Egypt and his people. When God called him to go and lead his people, Moses had only excuses as to why it wasn’t him. Yet, God used Moses. Moses was a hero because of God’s strength, God’s Plan and God’s mighty hand leading him.
ACTUALLY CONQUERING THE FEAR OF INADEQUACY
There are 7 key truths that I have to remind myself of on a regular basis to keep me moving forward to the destiny God has planned for my life. They are:
1. The only one guaranteed to fail at anything is the one who never starts. It does require dedication, work, and study; but, it first requires starting.
2. Any race that is won is done so one step at a time. A lesson I learned during the years of chemotherapy. I was in the middle of my Master’s program, a widow and a single mother. Most people thought I should stop. Instead, I kept moving one footstep at a time. Those footsteps were very slow sometimes. Still, I kept going because I knew if I stopped; I might never start again.
3. The next step to victory is now, this moment. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57)
4. God never measures how many times you fall down along the path. He measures how many times you get up “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again”(Proverbs 24:16)
5. When you cannot trust yourself, you can trust God who has promised to guide every step. “23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalm 37). “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41).
6. Take your eyes off of yourself and focus on Christ. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12).
7. God is prepared to carry you across the finish line. Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40).
Because of the redemptive work of Christ and because of all that we are given in Christ Jesus. “16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4). He will provide the grace for this moment and the future grace for each moment along the way. For that reason, I can stand boldly and say, “Fears of failure and inadequacy, go away!! My God is adequate to fulfill anything He has asked me to do.”
Have you ever been paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy? What did you do to overcome those feelings. You can COMMENT HERE, I would love to hear your story.
I hope you enjoy this song I wrote several years ago: Lord, Let Me See Me Through Your Eyes
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.