Our Worth Rests In God’s Care, and Our Ability to Serve Comes From His Strength, Not Our Own.

Serving Christ When We Feel Inadequate 

How Can We Serve Christ Faithfully 

When We Feel Inadequate? 

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NKJV) 

God values us, cares for us, and equips us to serve Him. As we depend on His strength, approach Him humbly, recognize our gifts, and work responsibly alongside others, we can serve faithfully even when we feel inadequate. 

 

Our Worth Begins with the God Who Created Us 

When we look at the vast expanse of creation, we may wonder how God could be concerned with us. We know our limitations and remember our mistakes. Sometimes we look at others' abilities and question whether we have anything worthwhile to offer. Psalm 8 brings those feelings before the God who made us: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:4). The answer begins with God’s care, not our accomplishments. He has crowned humanity with glory and honor and entrusted us with responsibility in His creation. Our worth is not something we must first prove through success. 

Genesis 1:26-27 tells us we are made in God’s image. We bear our Creator’s stamp. Psalm 100:3 reminds us that He made us, not we ourselves. Our lives matter because we are His creation, not because we have outperformed others. This gives us a different place to begin when we feel inadequate. We can acknowledge that we need training, wisdom, or help without deciding we are worthless. A limitation in ability is not a loss of dignity. Ephesians 2:10 describes believers as God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. We do not work to become valuable enough for God to notice. We serve as people He has already loved and called into a life with Christ. 

 

God’s Personal Care Gives Us Courage 

Knowing that God created us leads to another comforting truth: He has not forgotten us. Jesus spoke of sparrows sold for little, yet not one was forgotten before God. He then said, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7). Our true value is not determined by what our peers think or say about us. Others may judge us by our performance, achievements, appearance, or confidence. God’s care reaches deeper than those judgments. 

We have all heard that value is measured by what someone is willing to pay. More importantly, Scripture reveals the depth of God’s love in what He gave: His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Christ’s sacrifice is not a reward for the impressive. It is God’s gracious gift to sinners who need Him. In Luke 12, Jesus prepared His followers for opposition, not promising they would never be hurt. He taught them that human power is limited, while their Father’s care is not. When we fear rejection, we can return to that assurance. Another person’s disapproval does not erase God’s love or determine whether our service has value. We can listen humbly to correction without letting every opinion define us. We may still feel nervous, but we do not have to face the moment as if we are forgotten. 

 

Our Adequacy for Serving Christ Comes from God 

God’s care does not mean we suddenly possess every ability. It means we know where to turn for the strength and wisdom we need. Paul describes believers as “the fragrance of Christ” and asks, “And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). Representing Christ is a responsibility none of us can fulfill by self-confidence alone. The answer appears in our anchor verse: “Our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5). We must depend on Christ for our adequacy. He has commissioned His followers to make disciples and has promised His presence with them (Matthew 28:18-20). We are not sent out to manufacture spiritual results by cleverness or force of personality. As we see, Paul distinguishes sincere ministry from peddling God’s Word (2 Corinthians 2:17). We are responsible for speaking truthfully before God, not for manipulating people into responses that make us appear successful. 

Serving Christ requires us to focus on what He can do through us, not only on what we cannot do on our own. Second Corinthians 4:7 describes the gospel treasure carried in earthen vessels so that the excellence of the power may be of God rather than of us. The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This does not make learning or preparation unnecessary. We can develop skills, receive instruction, and recognize when a task requires someone else’s training. But our deepest confidence rests in Christ. Weakness does not render us beyond His usefulness, and we need not become someone else before we begin serving faithfully. 

 

Faithful Service Begins with Humility Before God 

Dependence on God should shape both our attitude and our confidence. We need His help, so we approach Him with reverence rather than with demands. In 2 Kings 1, the third captain sent to Elijah responded differently from the first two. He knelt and pleaded that his life and his men’s lives would be precious in Elijah’s sight (2 Kings 1:13). He knew what had happened to the earlier companies. Rather than relying on military rank, he appealed for mercy. The angel of the Lord then instructed Elijah to go with him without fear (2 Kings 1:15). His approach reminds us that religious words should come from sincere hearts. Calling Elijah a “man of God” was not enough by itself. The third captain’s humility was evident in his speech and actions. 

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). We need that grace whether our struggle is feeling superior or being ashamed to admit we need help. Humility enables us to ask questions, accept correction, and share responsibility. We do not have to defend an image of knowing everything. This account concerns God’s authority through Elijah; it does not give present-day leaders permission to demand unquestioning obedience. Our reverence belongs to God, and human instruction must be tested by His Word. Respect, humility, and servanthood should characterize our approach to God and others. We serve more faithfully when we are willing to be taught. 

 

We Serve Through the Holy Spirit’s Power and God’s Timing 

A humble heart also recognizes that eagerness alone is not enough. We need the Holy Spirit’s power and must respect the instructions God gives. Jesus told the disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the Father’s promise (Acts 1:4-5). They had a mission, but they were not to carry it out in their own strength. He said, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). When they asked about the restoration of the kingdom, Jesus reminded them that the times and seasons were under the Father’s authority (Acts 1:6-7). Their responsibility was to obey what He had made clear, not to control the schedule. 

We often want to get on with the work, yet uncertainty sometimes makes us reluctant to begin. Acts 1 directs us away from both self-reliance and attempts to manage what belongs to God. The disciples’ waiting was a specific command before Pentecost. We should not turn it into a rule that believers must postpone all service until they experience a special feeling. We depend on the Spirit as we obey the Scripture already given to us. We pray, prepare, listen, and remain willing to be redirected. Sometimes faithful service involves waiting; sometimes it involves taking a step we already know is right. In both cases, our confidence is in the Lord who equips us, not in our ability to make everything happen. 

 

We Recognize Our Gifts and Serve Alongside Others 

Dependence on God also teaches us to value the people He places beside us. We are not meant to carry the whole work alone. Romans 12:1-2 calls us to present ourselves to God and to allow our minds to be renewed. Paul then instructs us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, but to think soberly (Romans 12:3). Some of us overestimate our abilities; others dismiss what God has given us. An honest view of ourselves avoids both pride and constant self-rejection. We acknowledge our gifts without pretending to possess everyone else’s. Paul explains that the body has many members with different functions. Likewise, believers belong to one body in Christ (Romans 12:4-5). Our differences are not a reason to compete. They are part of how we serve one another.

Romans 12:6-8 lists gifts such as ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. These gifts call for faithful use, not personal acclaim. We do not need a public role for our contribution to matter. Encouragement can strengthen someone who is ready to give up. Practical service can ease a burden. Generosity can meet a need that would otherwise go unnoticed. First Peter 4:10-11 calls us to minister our gifts to one another as stewards of God’s grace. First Corinthians 13:1-3 reminds us that even remarkable abilities mean nothing without love. Our question is not whether our contribution looks as impressive as someone else’s. It is whether we are using what God has entrusted to us for the good of others and His glory. 

 

We Practice Good Stewardship Through Order and Shared Responsibility 

Once we recognize our gifts and our need for one another, responsible planning helps us put that understanding into practice. First Kings 4 describes Solomon’s officials and the twelve governors. The governors shared responsibility for supplying the royal household, each providing for one month of the year (1 Kings 4:7). The work had defined responsibilities and a predictable arrangement. Different officials managed different duties rather than leaving every task to one person. We can learn from that order without assuming that organization guarantees every desired result. Planning is a tool for stewardship, not a substitute for dependence on God. 

Clear responsibilities help people understand what is expected. Shared work makes it easier to spot a need before anyone becomes overwhelmed. Matching tasks to abilities allows people to contribute where they can serve well. “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22). In our homes, churches, and other responsibilities, asking for help need not mean we have failed. It may mean we are taking the work seriously enough to share it wisely. We can clarify the task, agree on who will do what, and communicate when circumstances change. Such ordinary care can make service more dependable and less confusing for everyone involved. 

 

Serving Faithfully Without Comparing Ourselves 

Remembering Our Worth When We Feel Inadequate 

When a task exposes our limitations, we need to separate our ability to perform it from our worth as a person. Psalm 8 directs us back to the God who made us and cares for us. We can admit a limitation without calling ourselves failures. We can seek training without being ashamed to need it. 

Depending on God Rather Than Trying to Prove Ourselves 

Our anchor remains the same: our sufficiency is from God. We can honestly bring Him our fears and ask for wisdom, strength, and a willing heart. We do not need to promise more than we can responsibly give. Faithful dependence includes accepting our limits and seeking appropriate help. 

Using Our Gifts Without Competing with Others 

Romans 12 teaches us to serve as members of one body. We can thank God for another person’s ability without treating it as proof that our own contribution is unimportant. Love redefines the purpose of our service. We are not trying to outshine one another. We are helping one another follow Christ. 

Taking a Practical Step with the Help of Others 

We can begin with a clear need, a suitable responsibility, and a conversation with someone who can guide us. We can prepare, ask questions, and share the work. Feelings of inadequacy may not disappear before we act. Yet we can take a faithful step, knowing our worth rests in God’s care and our strength comes from Him. We belong to Christ and do not serve alone. 

 

Father, Help Us Serve in Your Strength 

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating us, knowing us, and loving us through Jesus Christ. When we compare ourselves to others or feel we have little to offer, bring us back to Your truth. Our worth is not measured by applause, and our sufficiency comes from You. Forgive our pride and help us receive Your guidance with humble hearts. Strengthen us by Your Spirit, teach us to respect Your timing, and help us use our gifts in love. Give us wisdom to prepare well, share responsibility, and ask for help when needed. Thank You that we do not have to face our calling alone. May our service honor Christ and encourage the people You place before us. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Feel inadequate to serve Christ? Discover what Scripture teaches about our worth, God’s strength, spiritual gifts, and serving faithfully together. 

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Book: I Cannot Give You What I Do Not Have: Finding Unconditional Love in Christ 

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Study Guide: I Cannot Give You What I Do Not Have: Companion Study Guide: Healing Generational Wounds Through 40 Devotions https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H33MHYMY

How Should Our Faith in God Shape What We Do?

Living Our Faith: Trusting God and Acting on His Word

 

How do actions and faith fit together?

 

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 

James 1:22 (NKJV)

 

We are made right with God through faith, not through our accomplishments. That faith reaches our hearts, leads us to repentance, and moves us to obey God and serve others. 

 

Our Relationship with God Begins with Faith 

Before we consider what we should do, we need to understand what brings us into a right relationship with God. Otherwise, we may spend our lives trying to earn a love and forgiveness that we can only receive through Christ. Genesis 15:6 tells us of Abram, “And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Although Abram had been demonstrating faith through his actions, it was believing in the Lord, not his actions, that made him right with God. Romans 4:1-5 explains that righteousness was credited to him through faith, not paid to him as wages for his work.

We, too, come to God through faith. Church attendance, prayer, and good deeds cannot by themselves make us right with Him. We need the Savior who died for our sins and rose again. Our confidence rests in Christ, not in a record of religious activity. A right relationship with God involves trusting that He is who He says He is and that He will do what He has promised. This gives us a place to rest when we know we have fallen short. We do not have to pretend that our good actions cancel our sins. Ephesians 2:8-10 brings faith and action together. We are saved by grace through faith, not by works; yet we are created in Christ Jesus for good works. Those works follow from the life we receive in Him. We do not serve to purchase salvation. We serve because our Savior has loved us and made us His own. 

 

Genuine Faith Changes More Than Our Appearance 

With that foundation in place, we can understand why God cares about more than outward behavior. Our relationship with Him reaches the heart behind what others see. Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). The Pharisees were exacting in their attempts to follow religious requirements. Yet the outward obedience Jesus confronted did not reflect the inward change God required. Looking religious could not replace loving God or receiving His correction. 

We need to be concerned about our attitudes as well as our actions. We may offer help while resenting the person who needs it. We may speak politely in public and harshly at home. We may do something generous mainly because others will notice. God sees what people cannot see. This should lead us to honesty rather than to a better performance. We can ask Him to change not only our conduct but also the anger, pride, or selfishness beneath it. Genuine faith does not mean our hearts are already free from every wrong desire. It means we no longer want to protect those desires from God’s truth. As we trust Him, we learn to welcome the change His Word calls us to make. 

 

Repentance Becomes Visible in How We Live 

A changed heart should lead to a changed direction. John the Baptist told those coming to him, “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Luke 3:8). Their family connection to Abraham did not remove their need to turn to God. Neither can our family background, church membership, or familiarity with Scripture replace our own response to Him. Confession and a changed life go hand in hand. Repentance involves more than feeling sorry or finding the right words. Following Jesus means acting on what He says.

Luke 3 makes this practical. Those with clothing and food were told to share. Tax collectors were told not to collect more than was required. Soldiers were told not to intimidate or accuse falsely and to be content with their wages (Luke 3:10-14). The changes were not limited to a religious gathering. They reached possessions, work, honesty, and the use of power. James 2:14-26 likewise teaches that faith without works is dead. If we speak kindly to someone who lacks food and clothing but refuse help we could provide, our words leave the need untouched. This does not mean that one failure proves we have no faith. We all need forgiveness and continued growth. But we must not become comfortable saying we trust Christ while refusing the change He calls for. Repentance begins to show itself as we leave wrongdoing behind and practice what is right. 

 

Hearing God’s Word Leads Us to Practice It 

That brings us to our anchor verse: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). It is important to know what God’s Word says. We must also obey what we learn. Bible study is not complete simply because we understand a passage or can explain it to someone else. James compares the person who hears without doing to someone who looks in a mirror and then forgets what was seen. Scripture shows us the truth about our lives. We need to respond rather than walk away unchanged. The surrounding passage gives us places to begin being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; controlling our tongues; and caring for people in need (James 1:19-27). 

We can therefore examine the effect our time in Scripture is having on our behavior and attitudes. Are we listening more carefully? Are we becoming more truthful? Are we responding to needs we once overlooked? Sometimes the next act of obedience is very ordinary. We stop an unkind remark. We keep a promise. We give someone our attention. We make room to help. These actions do not draw attention to how spiritual we are. They allow the Word we have heard to shape the way we live with others. 

 

Returning to God Includes Addressing What He Has Shown Us 

At times, the difficulty is not that we lack instruction. It is that we have resisted instruction we already understand. In 1 Samuel 7, Israel lamented before the Lord. Samuel called the people to return to Him with all their hearts, put away their foreign gods, and serve Him alone (1 Samuel 7:3). Their sorrow needed to lead to action. They could not sincerely return to the Lord while still clinging to rival gods. We need that same honesty when we recognize resistance in ourselves. 

We may pray for peace in a relationship while refusing to apologize. We may ask God for wisdom while dismissing what Scripture already says about honesty or forgiveness. This is not a reason to assume that every season of spiritual dryness comes from disobedience. Faithful people also experience sorrow and uncertainty. But when God’s Word makes a wrong clear, we should not keep explaining it away. Returning to Him can begin with a plain confession and a practical change. We admit the wrong, seek His forgiveness, and address what needs to change. First John 1:9 assures us of His forgiveness and cleansing when we confess. We do not need to hide because we have resisted Him. We need to stop defending the resistance and receive His mercy. The Father who corrects us also welcomes our honest return. 

 

Prayer Prepares Us to Obey, Not Postpone Obedience 

Prayer must have a vital place in our lives, but prayer and action are not opposites. We seek God’s help so that we can follow His direction. At the Red Sea, the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward” (Exodus 14:15). God was not dismissing the importance of prayer. He was giving clear instructions at that moment. The people needed to move according to His command, trusting Him to make the way. 

Sometimes we know what we should do, but we pray for more guidance as a way to postpone doing it. We need not wait for another sign before telling the truth, returning what does not belong to us, or offering an apology we know is owed. We can pray while taking those steps. We can ask for courage before the conversation and for humility throughout it. When the direction is genuinely unclear, seeking counsel and waiting prayerfully can be wise. This passage does not tell us to rush into every opportunity or treat every strong feeling as God’s command. But when His Word has made our responsibility clear, continued delay is different from trust. We express trust by acting on what He has said. 

 

Esther Acts with Courage for Others

Esther’s story brings these truths together in a moment when other people’s lives were at stake. After the decree against the Jews, Mordecai urged Esther to speak to the king. Her position offered an opportunity to help, but approaching the king without being summoned involved real danger. Mordecai asked, “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). Esther did not act as though the danger was imaginary. She asked that the Jews in Susa fast for her, and she and her attendants would fast as well. Then she resolved to go before the king (Esther 4:16). She moved from recognizing the need to accepting responsibility for what she could do. Her courage was not merely a feeling. It became an action taken for the good of others. 

We may not face Esther’s circumstances, but we can recognize that our opportunities matter. Someone may need us to speak truthfully, provide practical support, or help them reach safety. When a situation involves immediate danger, responsible action is a must. Faith does not require reckless action or managing a crisis alone. God uses faithful people. We should not withdraw from every difficult responsibility while expecting someone else to meet the need before us. We can seek His direction, receive support, and act with wisdom. 

 

Taking Our Next Faithful Step 

Examining Our Hearts Before Defending Our Actions 

The passages before us call us to look honestly at both our actions and their motives. We can ask God to show us where we are seeking approval, protecting pride, or avoiding responsibility. When correction comes, we need not immediately defend ourselves. We can listen, consider it in light of Scripture, and acknowledge what is true. 

Responding to What God Has Already Made Clear 

We do not need to resolve every question about our future before obeying God today. We can begin with the responsibility already before us. That may mean apologizing without making excuses, fulfilling a neglected commitment, or turning away from a dishonest practice. A small step of obedience still matters. 

Joining Prayer with Practical Obedience 

We need God’s help, not confidence in our own determination alone. We can ask Him for strength while making practical arrangements to do what is right. If a conversation is needed, we can set aside time for it. If a harmful habit needs attention, we can seek trustworthy support. Prayer helps us depend on God as we act, rather than avoid action. 

Using Our Opportunities to Help Others 

Faith also turns our attention outward. We can notice who needs encouragement, a meal, a listening ear, or practical assistance. We cannot meet every need, but we should not dismiss the help within our reach. Christ’s love gives us a reason to serve without needing recognition in return. Our relationship with God begins with faith. That faith reaches our hearts, becomes visible in repentance, and shapes our everyday obedience. We trust Him, listen to His Word, and take the next faithful step. The good we do does not replace our need for Jesus. It flows from our life with Him. 

 

Lord, Help Us Live What We Believe 

Heavenly Father, thank You that we do not have to earn our way into Your love. Through Your Son, Jesus, our Lord, You have provided the forgiveness and salvation our efforts could never purchase. Help us trust Him fully and respond to Your grace with willing hearts. Let Your Word reach beyond our outward appearance. Show us where we need to repent, soften us when correction comes, and help us act on what You have made clear. Keep us from using prayer to postpone obedience. Give us wisdom and courage to help others, as Esther did in her moment of responsibility. May our words, choices, and actions reflect the faith we confess. Strengthen us to live what we believe, depending on You each day. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

 

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How Should Our Faith in God Shape What We Do?

 

We do not earn our relationship with God through good works, but our trust in Him should change how we live. 

 

Book: I Cannot Give You What I Do Not Have: Finding Unconditional Love in Christ 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQB4MJYW

 

Study Guide: I Cannot Give You What I Do Not Have: Companion Study Guide: Healing Generational Wounds Through 40 Devotions https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H33MHYMY

 

Read the full reflection here: [Substack link] 

What Are You Supposed To Do When Waiting On God Takes Too Long, Causing Major Depression, Isolation, And Loss Of Hope?

Waiting on God When Our Hope Grows Weary 

How Can We Keep Trusting God When the Waiting Feels Too Long? 

What should we do when waiting on God takes too long and causes us to lose hope? 

Bring our weary hearts to the Father, find strength in His Word, and receive support as we wait. 

“Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 (NKJV) 

 

When waiting leaves us weary, we can bring our discouragement honestly to God, draw strength from His Word, and receive help from others. Our hope rests in His faithful love, even when we cannot see what comes next. 

 

When Waiting Wears Down Our Hope

When waiting on God stretches beyond what feels bearable, we anchor ourselves in God’s promises rather than our circumstances, while actively maintaining momentum through spiritual disciplines. Prolonged waiting erodes our confidence; however, Scripture addresses this struggle directly by reframing both the waiting itself and what sustains us through it. 

Bringing Our Hearts Back to God’s Promises

Our core response is to maintain hope through active trust. Ground ourselves in Scripture and the personal words God has spoken to us during worship and prayer, treating these times as more authoritative than any other voice in our lives. Keep the vision God gave us prominent; it makes His words louder and more visible than the discouraging circumstances surrounding us. Rather than passively enduring, we are called to actively wait on God while cultivating courage, knowing He strengthens our heart (Ps 27:13–14). This is not passive wishfulness or resignation, but a deliberate choice: establishing daily routines such as prayer, journaling, and Scripture meditation maintains focus and momentum during seasons of waiting, much as Elijah’s servant repeatedly checked for signs of rain, reinforcing his faith. Thus, when despair threatens, the remedy is to redirect our focus toward God, anticipating His help (Ps 42:5). Silence before God, waiting without distraction, paired with pouring out our hearts to Him, provides the foundation for renewed trust (Ps 62:5–8). 

Taking the Next Faithful Step

Endurance becomes the pathway forward. Let waiting strengthen us rather than weaken us; be strong and courageous as we wait. Refuse to dwell in discouragement; instead, take the next step forward in faith, keep our minds fixed on God, and remain unmoved by difficult circumstances or emotions. This season of waiting is meant to move us forward spiritually, not backward into bitterness, envy, or resentment. Moreover, we are to persist in doing good, even when weariness sets in, because it will lead to a spiritually abundant harvest if we refuse to surrender hope (Gal 6:9). Holding fast to our confidence matters because it carries genuine reward, and receiving God’s promises requires the stamina to continue after fulfilling His will (Heb 10:35–36). It is also important to avoid spiritual lethargy by imitating those who combine faith with patience to inherit what God has promised (Heb 6:12). 

Trusting God When His Timing Is Different

We must reorient our perspective on time. God’s timeline operates differently from ours; what appears to be delay is not divine indifference but rather His patient commitment to redemption (2 Pet 3:8–9). Even when fulfillment seems distant, God’s promises have an appointed time and will ultimately arrive, so waiting for them remains justified (Hab 2:3). We are also to recognize that waiting itself produces spiritual growth. Hardship during seasons of waiting develops perseverance, which builds character, which generates genuine hope, and this hope, rooted in God’s love, cannot ultimately disappoint (Rom 5:3–5). Those who wait on God experience renewed strength, moving from exhaustion to endurance (Isa 40:31). The extended season is not wasted time; it is transformative time.

Receiving Strength from People Who Walk Beside Us

There is nothing wrong with drawing strength from trusted Christian companions, mentors, and prayer partners who know us well and provide external validation and support that helps us stay the course. Once more, recognize that visible progress may stall or even appear to reverse, but don't navigate by what you see; instead, navigate by what God says, and keep hoping for what seems nowhere in sight. We must guard against the enemy’s lies by staying grounded in God’s truth. We are to watch for anger and avoid taking our frustration out on those around us, since anger only leads to harm. Finally, the psalmist models this: having nearly lost heart, he chose to believe he would see God’s goodness and then called himself to wait on the Lord with courage, trusting that God would strengthen his heart. (Ps 27:13–14) 

Seeking Wise Counsel and Staying Nourished by Scripture

A final thought while waiting: Do not seek out the world’s ungodly advice or counsel. Remember that those of the world are blind to what a Christian can see. Because of our ability to see what those who are spiritually dead cannot, following the advice of someone who may appear wise and has been a longtime friend can end in disastrous results. Even a Christian can lead another believer astray if they offer advice that is not rooted in the Word of God. We must remember that while our church pastor may feed us the Word regularly on Sunday, it is our responsibility to feed on the Word of God daily. We cannot and should not rely upon once-a-week sermonette for our spiritual strength. I have said this countless times to new believers struggling with the question above: If two dogs are fighting, the one that is fed will win. If we feed our spirit, our flesh will lose when the battle comes. Thus, if we do not feed on the Word of God from Sunday afternoon to early Sunday morning, all that will do is make one weak. Thus, to avoid depression, isolation, and loss of hope, we must study the Word of God daily and insulate our lives by knowing it, which will give us the hope we long for. 

 

As Christians, Prayer and Scripture are our first resources of precious strength; depression is not proof that we have failed to trust God or read His Word enough. However, if hopelessness or isolation persists, we must reach out first to trusted spiritual support and then to a qualified health professional. Countless Christian counselors and doctors exist; therefore, seeking appropriate care is not turning away from God. The AMA has approved aspirin for headaches, but God is the one who created this world, and all that God has created is good; man is the one with his sinful nature that corrupts; therefore, in this opinion, God can heal supernaturally through natural means. Counseling is not something to set aside; in fact, the Great Physician, Jesus, is the perfect counselor and can lead us to the right counselor when necessary. 

 

Prayer: Father, Strengthen Us While We Wait 

Heavenly Father, You know how weary we become when we pray and wait without seeing the answer we hoped for. Thank You that we can come honestly before You, bringing our disappointment, questions, and tears. Your love for us was shown at the cross, and our hope rests in our risen Savior, not in our ability to understand Your timing. Strengthen us through Your Word. Help us recognize Your promises without confusing them with our own expectations. Give us grace for the next step, patience for what remains unfinished, and willing hearts to receive the people and help You place before us. Guard us against withdrawing from those who care. When discouragement makes prayer difficult, help us simply turn toward You. Teach us to keep doing good without pretending we are not tired. Thank You for Your care today and the eternal life we have through Christ. Whatever this season brings, keep us close to You and remind us that we do not wait alone. 

In Jesus’ name, amen. 

 

Christian Encouragement For Weary People 

 

#WaitingOnGod #HopeInChrist #StrengthInScripture #ChristianEncouragement #FaithAndMentalHealth 

 

Book: I Cannot Give You What I Do Not Have: Finding Unconditional Love in Christ 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GQB4MJYW

 

Study Guide: I Cannot Give You What I Do Not Have: Companion Study Guide: Healing Generational Wounds Through 40 Devotions https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H33MHYMY

Read the full reflection here: [Substack link] 

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