Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

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When You Don't Feel Qualified to Do What God Is Asking

August 30, 2016 by Abby McDonald

when you don't feel qualified

People tell me I’m a slow talker. Whether it’s because of my southern roots or because I’m constantly thinking about what I say before I say it, my words don’t come spewing out at breakneck speed.

Most days I’m okay with it. But every now and then, I wish I could turn off my brain and just speak. I know, that doesn’t make any sense but you get the picture. I want words to flow without thought of how they sound, whether my audience is understanding me or whether they’re offended by I’m saying.

A couple of years ago I attended my first writers’ conference and when people learned I was working on a book, the typical next question was, “What’s it about?” It was a question I both loved and loathed at the same time, but it was good practice for me. Explaining my heart’s desire to women I barely knew stretched me and forced me to get outside my head.

But part of me longed to run to my hotel room and slam the door. I felt unqualified. I was overwhelmed by the audacity of what the Lord was asking me to do: to open myself up and share a vulnerable message others could both understand and relate to. I looked around me at writers who had huge platforms, thousands of followers and fans and wondered what I was doing there.

In all my insecurity, I forgot about the truth the Lord spoke to me months earlier. He didn’t call me because I was qualified.

when you don't feel qualified

He didn’t choose me because of my impressive resume or my list of credentials. He chose me because I had a willing heart. A heart that longed to share the message he’d given me with other women who struggled with fear of never being enough or feeling confident in their roles as wife, mother, friend and follower of Christ.

Recently I was having another episode of anxiety over something I felt strongly the Lord was calling me to do. He brought me to the story of Moses’ call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When the Lord told Moses what he wanted him to do, he protested. A lot.

Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled. 

Exodus 4:10 NLT

Moses was full of excuses and reasons why he couldn’t do what the Lord was asking him to do. But for every protest, the Lord assured him it wasn’t his strength or ability that the Israelites would need. It was the Lord’s.

It wasn’t Moses’ job to provide the miracle. He was simply a vessel for the Lord to show his power.

Often when I’m trying to follow the path the Lord has set before me, I become preoccupied with figuring out steps two, three and four when he’s only asked me to take step one. After I take step one, he shows me what he wants me to do next. But I can’t take those next steps if I’m in a frozen state, trying to see what’s ahead.

Sometimes we have to take that first step of faith before we see the next one the Lord has already set before us.

And the more we walk, we see how we don’t need to have the entire blueprint of God’s plan in front of us. We don’t have to boast a long set of credentials or an impressive resume with all the right skills.

We simply have to put one foot in front of the other.

 

Linking up with these communities: #RaRaLinkup, #IntentionalTuesday

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Filed Under: strength through christ Tagged With: faith, spiritual growth

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Comments

  1. mbethany says

    August 30, 2016 at 10:22 am

    So grateful you are putting one foot in front the other. Such an encouragement to me today as I keep running back to resume and my qualifications to point out to the Lord that there is “no way.” I kept going back to Moses too- but to the red sea. Where there was no way. God made a way. Today Jesus is the way. Believing it with you and taking each step after Him! Thanks for the wisdom Abby!

    • Abby says

      August 30, 2016 at 1:53 pm

      This is a reminder I constantly need, Bethany. So glad it encouraged you today, friend. Praise God!

  2. Angela Howard says

    August 30, 2016 at 11:46 am

    This spoke to my heart today Abby. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding all of us that the most important ingredient is a willing heart to obey God. Visiting from my inbox and the #RaRaLinkup 🙂

    • Abby says

      August 30, 2016 at 1:54 pm

      So blessed to hear that, Angela. God is good. Thanks for visiting today!

  3. Valerie says

    August 30, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    This really spoke to my heart today! I can sense God calling me into my own ministry and even though I am excited, I also just feel unqualified to do this. I really needed this today. Thanks for sharing!

    • Abby says

      August 30, 2016 at 1:55 pm

      Praising God that it spoke to you, Valerie. It’s a reminder I need often. 😉 He’s ever so patient with us, isn’t He? Thanks for stopping by today.

  4. Lisa Appelo says

    August 30, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    The enemy loves for us to feel less than ans become paralyzed. Such a good reminder this morning, Abby.

    • Abby says

      August 31, 2016 at 11:21 am

      Amen to that, Lisa. So true. May each of us rise above those lies and trust in the truth. Thank you for your encouragement, friend.

  5. Stephanie K. Adams says

    August 30, 2016 at 1:54 pm

    Just what I needed today. I literally said out loud in prayer today, “I am not qualified to do anything, God. You do know that, right?” Thank you for sharing Abby.

    • Abby says

      August 31, 2016 at 11:22 am

      Stephanie, I completely disagree with what you’ve been telling God and am so blessed to hear this post spoke to you! I know God is using you in ways you may not even see in this lifetime. Thanks for sharing here. Humbled by what God can do.

  6. Lesley says

    August 30, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    This is the second post in a row I have read on this topic- i think I need to take note! It’s true that it’s so easy to get caught up in looking at ourselves and where we feel inadequate instead of looking to God and his strength and remembering that when he calls us he equips us. I love this: “It wasn’t Moses’ job to provide the miracle. He was simply a vessel for the Lord to show his power.”

    • Abby says

      August 31, 2016 at 11:23 am

      I love it when God speaks the same message to multiple hearts. Amazing. Thanks for sharing, Lesley.

  7. Christine Duncan says

    August 30, 2016 at 4:12 pm

    Simply the vessel to show His power… what a burden that lifts for us! I’m not asked to take anything on except to be willing to be used… Game. Changer.
    So thankful for you, lady. So thankful.

    • Abby says

      August 31, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Thankful for you too, friend! Yes, it is a game changer indeed. So grateful and blessed.

  8. Trudy Den Hoed says

    August 30, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    This really encouraged my heart, Abby. Thank you for sharing honestly and for pointing us to God’s truth. I have often felt like Moses, too. I love this – “It wasn’t Moses’ job to provide the miracle. He was simply a vessel for the Lord to show his power.” Blessings and hugs to you!

    • Abby says

      August 31, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Yes, I often feel like him too. I love how God used someone who felt so far less than qualified! Always grateful for your sweet encouragement, Trudy. Blessings and hugs.

  9. kristine says

    September 1, 2016 at 6:17 am

    Yay for only having to put one foot in front of the other! Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to figure it all out, don’t we? This is a great word for all of us. Thank you Abby!

  10. Kristi Woods says

    September 3, 2016 at 5:38 pm

    Love it – especially the willing heart portion. Our God is strong in you, Abby, and in your writing. I’m so thankful you’re out there offering words for the world to see.

Hi! I'm Abby and I'm so glad you're here. I am a wife and a mom of two very energetic boys and one sweet baby girl. When I'm not chasing them around I love to write about my love for a God who relentlessly pursued me, even during my darkest times. READ MORE...

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