Feeling Inadequate?

Do you ever get so nervous with this sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you have to face something daunting? Like getting up to speak in front of many people, finding the courage to apologize for what you did, or entering a new environment where you don't know anyone?

For the past few days, I have been feeling inadequate. As I work on my thesis proposal and try to finish my Master's degree, as I think of the classes I will be teaching this coming semester, as I volunteer in new areas of ministry, as I do things I haven't ever done, as I ask God to work in me in new and greater ways, I admit I feel inadequate. But I don't think that's a bad place to start.

Feeling inadequate can be pretty normal, I think. I'm sure even presidents and CEOs feel this, wondering why they were chosen to lead or how this ship is going to turn. I believe it's what you do once you realize you can't do this on your own that really matters. Here's what I have found myself doing when I feel inadequate:

Pray! Admit to God that you really can't do it without Him. And ask for His grace, strength, mercy, and wisdom. Remind yourself that this is really not about you.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10

Ask people to help you and pray with you. When I didn't think I had the strength, energy, or motivation to work on the second draft of my thesis proposal last Saturday, I asked my mom to pray for me. I told her what I felt, and she encouraged me and made me tea. That always helps! Then there are times when you just need to admit your weakness or something that can get you off-track, "call a friend" and let them know what you are really going through. Humble yourself and ask for help.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24

Make the hard choices. Watch a movie or do your thesis proposal? Sleep or prepare for your next big project? Watch TV or write? Facebook or spend time with your family? You know what you need to do, so make the hard choices and go for what is wise. Besides, if you don't choose what's right and hard and wise, you may just look back years from now and see that you are still where you started off. And that's just sad.


The feeling of inadequacy may not completely go away but by the grace of God, you will move forward and do what you need to do. Feelings are just feelings anyway!


My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26

Believing in Young People

I was 14 when I became a Christian, and served God as a high school and college student. I was involved in church, campus orgs, and everything regular students do. After graduation, I continued to be involved in youth ministry by leading a small group and helping young women know God and walk with Him every day. We've navigated through personal, family, financial, and spiritual concerns and together we've looked to and held on to God's promises in His Word. I've seen many of these young women graduate from high school and even college.

Even with all the changes in my own life in the last few years, though, I always keep going back to serving in the youth ministry, whether I am in Nashville or Manila, Ortigas or Fort Bonifacio, Ateneo or La Salle. I guess it's because people believed in my generation so many years ago, invested in our lives, and helped us grow. I can't help but believe in young people as well, knowing that God has a plan for them and also knowing that the enemy will try to not let that come to pass.

After attending the Ignite conference last week, my passion to see young people serving God is now even stronger. As a small group leader, a university-level teacher, and as someone who got saved as a teenager, I know that God has a great purpose for each young person, and I want to do my part in serving the next generation.

Towards the end of the Ignite conference, Joe Bonifacio reminded the students that they will not always be "the next generation," and that it will be important to pass the baton to those who will come after. I remember when I was the youngest in our small group, the youngest in the ushering ministry, the youngest in so many things. Time does fly and it's really not about how good our generation has been, but whether we have been able to train those who have come after us. And by God's grace, each generation will go from glory to glory, and will do mighty exploits, more than what the previous generation was able to do. 

And yes, even if the young people add "po" in their sentences when they talk to me now, as a sign of respect because I'm older than them, I will not let my age deter me from mentoring, coaching, training, and believing in them. Young people need people they can talk to, exchange ideas with, and people who will just be there for them and point them in the right direction. And for those who are willing, God will help us see the fruit of our labor and the return of our investments, whether that's weekly prioritizing meeting with them, taking time to talk even when it's convenient, and keeping up with their energy level even though you don't have as much left in you.

I believe God is truly raising a new generation of those whose hearts are sold out to Him, and I count it a privilege to be part of this!