2 Corinthians 2:14-17 14 But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place. 15 For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; 16 to the one a savor from death unto death; to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not as the many, corrupting the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.

No one likes feelings of inadequacy, but they are something we all must learn to handle, as no one can avoid them permanently. Tragically, however, many people live with a cloud over their head because in their thinking, they never measure up. For some, this may be due to childhood experiences that negatively affected their self-image. For others, the problem may stem from a lack of success related to work, school, relationships, or any number of things.

In today’s passage, Paul asks a question that points to a common insecurity: “Who is adequate for these things?” (v. 16). Have you ever avoided serving the Lord in ways that challenge your comfort zone? If so, you’ve probably missed a tremendous opportunity to overcome feelings of inadequacy. He has promised to lead us “in triumph in Christ” (v. 14), but unless we believe Him and step out in faith, we’ll never experience the fullness of life that He has planned for us.

Feeling inadequate is not a sin, but using it as an excuse is. When the Lord challenges you to do something that you feel is beyond your abilities, you have two options: You can focus on Christ and proceed in triumph, or you can focus on yourself and withdraw in defeat.

It’s really a matter of faith. God would never ask you to do something without empowering you to accomplish it. This doesn’t necessarily mean you will do it perfectly, but each step of obedience is a victory. The alternative is to play it safe, but then you’ll miss out on God’s best for your life.

Bible in One Year: Job 9-12 Chapter 9 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 Of a truth I know that it is so: But how can man be just with God? 3 If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4 `He is' wise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?- 5 `Him' that removeth the mountains, and they know it not, When he overturneth them in his anger; 6 That shaketh the earth out of its place, And the pillars thereof tremble; 7 That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars; 8 That alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the waves of the sea; 9 That maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south; 10 That doeth great things past finding out, Yea, marvellous things without number. 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not. 12 Behold, he seizeth `the prey', who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou? 13 God will not withdraw his anger; The helpers of Rahab do stoop under him. 14 How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words `to reason' with him? 15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge. 16 If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice. 17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause. 18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness. 19 If `we speak' of strength, lo, `he is' mighty! And if of justice, Who, `saith he', will summon me? 20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse. 21 I am perfect; I regard not myself; I despise my life. 22 It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. 23 If the scourge slay suddenly, He will mock at the trial of the innocent. 24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covereth the faces of the judges thereof: If `it be' not `he', who then is it? 25 Now my days are swifter than a post: They flee away, they see no good, 26 They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey. 27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my `sad' countenance, and be of good cheer; 28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. 29 I shall be condemned; Why then do I labor in vain? 30 If I wash myself with snow water, And make my hands never so clean; 31 Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, And mine own clothes shall abhor me. 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment. 33 There is no umpire betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both. 34 Let him take his rod away from me, And let not his terror make me afraid: 35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; For I am not so in myself. Chapter 10 1 My soul is weary of my life; I will give free course to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; Show me wherefore thou contendest with me. 3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, That thou shouldest despise the work of thy hands, And shine upon the counsel of the wicked? 4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? Or seest thou as man seeth? 5 Are thy days as the days of man, Or thy years as man's days, 6 That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, And searchest after my sin, 7 Although thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is none that can deliver out of thy hand? 8 Thy hands have framed me and fashioned me Together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. 9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast fashioned me as clay; And wilt thou bring me into dust again? 10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, And curdled me like cheese? 11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews. 12 Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; And thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. 13 Yet these things thou didst hide in thy heart; I know that this is with thee: 14 If I sin, then thou markest me, And thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. 15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; And if I be righteous, yet shall I not lift up my head; Being filled with ignominy, And looking upon mine affliction. 16 And if `my head' exalt itself, thou huntest me as a lion; And again thou showest thyself marvellous upon me. 17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, And increasest thine indignation upon me: Changes and warfare are with me. 18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me. 19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave. 20 Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, 21 Before I go whence I shall not return, `Even' to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death; 22 The land dark as midnight, `The land' of the shadow of death, without any order, And where the light is as midnight. Chapter 11 1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? And should a man full of talk be justified? 3 Should thy boastings make men hold their peace? And when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? 4 For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes. 5 But oh that God would speak, And open his lips against thee, 6 And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. 7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? 8 It is high as heaven; what canst thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, And broader than the sea. 10 If he pass through, and shut up, And all unto judgment, then who can hinder him? 11 For he knoweth false men: He seeth iniquity also, even though he consider it not. 12 But vain man is void of understanding, Yea, man is born `as' a wild ass's colt. 13 If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him; 14 If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, And let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents. 15 Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; Yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: 16 For thou shalt forget thy misery; Thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away, 17 And `thy' life shall be clearer than the noonday; Though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning. 18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; Yea, thou shalt search `about thee', and shalt take thy rest in safety. 19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; Yea, many shall make suit unto thee. 20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, And they shall have no way to flee; And their hope shall be the giving up of the ghost. Chapter 12 1 Then Job answered and said, 2 No doubt but ye are the people, And wisdom shall die with you. 3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: Yea, who knoweth not such things as these? 4 I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbor, I who called upon God, and he answered: The just, the perfect man is a laughing-stock. 5 In the thought of him that is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; It is ready for them whose foot slippeth. 6 The tents of robbers prosper, And they that provoke God are secure; Into whose hand God bringeth `abundantly'. 7 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee: 8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 9 Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought this, 10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, And the breath of all mankind? 11 Doth not the ear try words, Even as the palate tasteth its food? 12 With aged men is wisdom, And in length of days understanding. 13 With `God' is wisdom and might; He hath counsel and understanding. 14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. 15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up; Again, he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. 16 With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his. 17 He leadeth counsellors away stripped, And judges maketh he fools. 18 He looseth the bond of kings, And he bindeth their loins with a girdle. 19 He leadeth priests away stripped, And overthroweth the mighty. 20 He removeth the speech of the trusty, And taketh away the understanding of the elders. 21 He poureth contempt upon princes, And looseth the belt of the strong. 22 He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, And bringeth out to light the shadow of death. 23 He increaseth the nations, and he destroyeth them: He enlargeth the nations, and he leadeth them captive. 24 He taketh away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, And causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way. 25 They grope in the dark without light; And he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.