Week 50 Day 2
When You Feel Inadequate
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32
Should I to gain the world’s applause,
Or to escape its harmless frown,
Refuse to countenance thy cause,
And make thy people’s lot my own,
What shame would fill me in that day,
When thou thy glory shalt display!
Lincoln commonly begged the mercy of his friends and colleagues, suggesting that he alone was not worthy of the office of president. After taking the Oval Office, Lincoln expressed humility and a certain sense of inadequacy for the task at hand to Governor Lot Morrill of Maine. But, at the same time, he said that though he could not do the job, God would assist him. “I don’t know but that God has created some one man great enough to comprehend the whole of this stupendous crisis and transaction from beginning to end, and endowed him with sufficient wisdom to manage and direct it.”
It’s hard to imagine that Abraham Lincoln felt inadequate for the task, but he felt the same feelings of self-doubt we all do. How did Lincoln deal with his inadequate feelings? He gave them up to God. He knew it was when he felt at his worst that God could work through him. His inadequacy was the very thing that allowed God to take control. If you feel like you’re not up to the job, don’t worry. It’s time for God to take over.