Jesus Was Rejected When those you care about you reject you, and you're in pain over it, it's easy to dismiss the fact that Jesus's people rejected him, too. You may feel like you're not strong enough or smart enough or pretty enough. Lazaruss sickness will not end in death, (John 11:4a). Click To Tweet Do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy? Here is a look at 10 inspirational characters from the Bible! YOUR WEAKNESS IS GOD'S POWER This account reminds us that God understands our doubts and fears. We learn a lot about Jeremiah and his times in the first few verses of his book. This story shows us that no matter how big our mistakes might be, God will always forgive us and give us a second chance. James wrote, But He gives us more grace. Gideons story shows us that God can use anyone, even the least of these, to accomplish great things. So I have come to rescue themSo now, go. Your husband may have given you the message that you can't do anything right. Insecurity may also result from being preoccupied with the things of the world: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. He will not start failing you now. Inferiority is a persistent sense of inadequacy or a tendency to underrate oneself and one's abilities. .gsatelite:hover {opacity:1;-moz-transform: scale(1.3);-webkit-transform: scale(1.3);transform: scale(1.3);} function renderGSatelites($, e) { $('.gsatelite').remove(); And yet, in the end, Job came to a place of worship and submission, declaring, I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2). In Josiah's thirteenth year, in the midst of his reforms, something extraordinary happened to young Jeremiah. Whatever the causes of your feelings, if you allow them to control you, a sense of inferiority will keep you from exploring and achieving the wonderful goals God has for you. God wanted Moses to dream again. This biblical account demonstrates how Gods calling in our lives does not depend on our abilities but our obedience. I'm sure this was not the kind of future Jeremiah had looked forward to; it didn't sound very much like "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." Curse God and die,(Job 2:9). Knowing this, God told Jeremiah, "Get yourself ready! He wants us to come to Him. He died for each one of us. Biblical giants also experienced discouragement. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. Here are four of the numerous stories of men who were used by God and what we can learn from their lives. (1 Timothy 4:11-16; 2 Timothy . Joseph Joseph was 17 the first time he had his dreams about ruling over his family. The Bible says that Jesus chose (called) Judas Iscariot, even though He knew Judas would betray Him.The Bible even says that Satan entered Judas so that Judas betrayed his Lord, resulting in Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. So she took some of the fruit and ate it, (Genesis 3:6 NLT). She enjoys time with family, reading, photography, movies, walking in nature, and a nice cup of tea. Am I not sending you? (Judges 6:14). for (var i = 0, j = 0; i < count; i++, j++) { We were back." If a person is never able to please his or her parents, it's easy to grow up with feelings of inferiority. I really did. None of us feels competent in ourselves to live the Christian life in a way that will win others to Christ. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are perishing. Yet, He not only healed her, He brought her into the open and called the one previously labeled outcast, Daughter.. August 11, 2015 / Andy / 7 Comments. She found healing without breaking the law or drawing attention to herself (Mark 5:29). Many people came to Jesus asking for healing. A prophet was a person through whom God spoke directly to His people. God is more than our stuttering and our doubts. People plotted against him, falsely accused him, tried to shut him up, even attempted to kill him. The great apostle Paul spoke and wrote with great authority. The Bible does not provide us with the names of many characters mentioned in it. Today. The Jewish elders he sent spoke highly of him and how he had helped the Jewish people. God will use us to spread the knowledge of Him, like a sweet perfume, to everyone. God chose Rahab for a starring role in the Bible. We can depend on our loving Savior for strength; He never gets tired or impatient with us. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Benjamin. Dan Williams says. So if youre feeling discouraged right now, remember that you can always start again. Scripture tells us, When the angel appeared to Gideon, he said, The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. Gideon responded, If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?The LORD has abandoned us (Judges 6:11-13). Many of us know about Isaiah. Now, that's a statement many of us have heard in our lives at some point. If you have, then it's time that you know that it is not our faithfulness, but God's faithfulness and the presence of Jesus in our lives that empower us to live out the greatness God has meant for us. 13:31-33). Moses argued with God, revealing his insecurity: Moses ended with, Please send someone else (Exodus 4:13). Now, my son, listen to me. These truths allowed me to confront my inadequate feelings. Many of the Old Testament Patriarchs and Prophets also felt inadequate, unworthy, and unqualified when they were first called to their ministry. We must turn our eyes from ourselves altogether and focus on the One whos the source of all good things. From the very beginning of time until now, people have felt inadequate. Here are 10 women in the Bible who struggled to trust Gods plan. No one is adequate to preach and teach and serve the Lord in a way that will make an eternal impact on other people. These same principles can help us find the confidence we need to overcome our own sense of inadequacy: Jeremiah did not have to work on sermons or solicit speaking invitations. His name lives on in the christenings of children today. But we can rejoice today in the truth of Isaiah 55:8, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. If our situation looks impossible, we can believe this promise. The woman was convinced. So when I come face to face with unexpected circumstances, I feel self-sufficiency slip away. Others said they simply towered over people with no weird hybridization of DNA. The Bible is full of stories of people who were used by God despite their unfaithfulness and failures. Stay up to date with the latest Christian news! For one thing, general revelation does not accurately interpret the truths that it reveals. If youve ever doubted, take heart. Here are a few verses from the New Testament (Choose volunteers to look up these verses): Most of us don't have too much trouble recognizing the "symptoms" brought about by feelings of inferiority. 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind, 7 Tests to See if Your Worship Is Truly Christian or Pagan. Yet God persuaded him to yield to the calling upon his life. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Watching someone we love with a debilitating illness can make us feel helpless, fearful, and sometimes even angry at God. do {if (j + 1 > Math.round(2 * r0 * Math.PI / d) * (nc + 1) * (nc + 2) / 2) {nc++;r = r + r0;cntpc = Math.floor(2 * Math.PI * r / d);}angle = j * 2 * Math.PI / cntpc + Math.PI / 4;x = centerPosition.left + Math.cos(angle) * r;y = centerPosition.top + Math.sin(angle) * r; Elijah, one of the most revered figures in the Bible, was a man who felt like a failure. But when we first meet him, and he encounters God and the angels, his knees buckle. . 6:14-15). Faith reminds us that God is trustworthy and able to do what He says He will do. You had a college roommate who talked to her boyfriend on the phone for three hours every night, cut classes, and simply breezed through her homework with hardly any studying. In fact, they would make him many powerful enemies. From there, Thomas believed and later ended up martyred for Christ's sake. Feeling inadequate can come from: 1 Feeling guilty about our past failures (Read Exodus 2:11-15.) Reader Interactions. Make learning fun with felt playtime boards by Betty Lukens! Where every possible answer seemed to make matters worse? Thinking youre not enough for your spouse, children, church, friendsnot enough for God? 4.4 (13) $2199. Here are five prophets and the weaknesses that made them strong. God didn't say Jeremiah would not be persecuted. Do you feel too weak or ill-qualified? Not the greatest start for a leader. "The Lorin said to me, 'From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. On the other hand, if you were only told how wonderful and superior you are, then feelings of inferiority surface when you recognize your own weaknesses. I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me. Through Isaiah, we learn that we need to come to the Lord in repentance, especially when God calls us to something far greater than ourselves. 4:10-13). She pleaded with Jacob, Give me children, or Ill die!(Genesis 30:1). He comes from a lesser tribe and doesnt have a great position in the family birth order. First, he tries to say that he doesnt have great oration skills. Do you feel inferior because you don't have a pretty face or perfect figure? They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you" (Jer. We have loads of examples from the Bible of heroes who feared they didn't have what it took to face giants. Although it may seem like Jobs wife responded to his condition with callousness, many of us can understand her heartbreak. I would overthink, second-guess, and question our decision. David was the king of Israel, but even he sometimes felt overwhelmed. With her dying breath, Rachel names him Benoni, which means "son of my misfortune" or "son of my sorrow." After her death, Jacob changes his name to Benjamin, meaning "son of my good fortune" or "son of my right hand." Here are eleven of the prime players in the Bible, from the first humans to Bible prophets to Apostles to Jesus himself. 1:5). I know I fall short as a writer, wife, or mother, and this pains me. cntpc = 2 * Math.PI * r0 / 34; Specifically, I'm going to walk you through a handful of subtle habits that may be maintaining your feelings of inadequacy. Photo Courtesy: Lightstock 1. As I did, the lies were eventually replaced with peace and a confidence that I could do anything that God wanted me to do, as long as Jesus lived through me. He must have been overwhelmed with a sense of inadequacy. Moses had done something of which his sister Miriam didnt approve. But the Lord was pleased with Josiah and his desire to turn his nation back to the living God, so He provided an ally, a man who would preach God's Word to a rebellious people. He gives us the words to say and gives them supernatural power. What are some lessons from Christian characters in the Bible? It's easy to be inspired by his youthful willingness to fight Goliath, his tender friendship with Jonathan, his worshipful Psalms, and his enduring patience under wicked King Saul. The Bible tells us not to put God to the test, so although God seems to allow this, he has Gideon make up for it later. would meet this woman there, he waited alone until she arrived around noontime. Once we see someone else with something we want, we find a way to make it happen, even if its not Gods plan for us. function hideGSatelites($) { $('.gsatelite').each(function(i) { $(this).delay(($('.gsatelite').length - i - 1) * 10).fadeOut('fast');});} Nothing aches like watching those closest to us suffer. Afraid of what others might think of me when I did. God may be working a miracle in my life, but my mind can be my worst enemy. King David's sin. We can also when we trust in Him. Tools. Do you feel incapable of making and keeping friends? var br_flag = false; When Jesus headed to his house, the man sent word again, Lord, dont trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. So even though God also spoke through Miriam and Aaron, God became angered when they spoke against His servant. John. 4 Ways the Parable of the Sower Encourages Spiritual Growth. God said to the prophet Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.. All rights reserved. 20 Things You May Not Know about Moses in the Bible, For the Days You Feel Defeated: Hope from Gideons Story, 4 Heroes of the Bible Who Feared They Weren't Good Enough. The biblical account in 2 Samuel chapter 11 describes his failed attempts at a cover-up. Mary and Marthas words were typical for two women who just went through heartbreaking loss. God then touched Jeremiahs mouth and told him He would give him whatever words he needed. So you send one scout per tribe to case the land and figure out just what youre up against. Proud member The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you (Jeremiah 1:7-8). Who makes them deaf or mute? 5. When we experience grief like Martha did, we wonder how anything good could possibly come from it. She hadnt heard it for herself. Notice the four negative actions God mentioned: "Uproot," "tear down," "destroy," and "overthrow." Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Why did she say, Can an old woman like me have a baby? Is anything too hard for the Lord? While there, God made a promise to her. But we must remember that our questions dont change who God is or His plan for our lives. Twice he asked God to give him a sign proving His power and He graciously answered. Jeremiah also felt inadequate and unqualified. Your mother or father may have been critical and controlling. centerPosition.left += Math.floor($('.gglobe').width() / 2) - 10; And he will find a way to fulfill his plan. Jesus Christ is the Victor leading us "in triumphal procession," and we who have trusted Him are victors with Him. Benjamin is Jacob's twelfth son and a full brother to Joseph. After Moses had been raised in Pharaohs household during a time where the Pharaoh killed all the male infants, he ends up murdering an Egyptian taskmaster who treats a Hebrew slave poorly. This was a big responsibility. Jesus is everything to her and its all about grace. No doubt Sarah was a bright woman. So why was I struggling to believe God could help me in the midst of what seemed impossible? The judge would later on fall because of his sinfulness and lust towards Delilah (Judges 16:20-22), but ultimately God would bring His purposes to pass through Samson. He offered her living water, an invitation to believe in Him. The bottom line is, God has a history of choosing messy people with problems. Kristine Brown is a communicator at heart, sharing biblical insight with readers and audiences in a relatable way. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? 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