Feeling inadequate?

Have you ever told yourself that you weren't good enough? That you just weren't smart enough, tough enough, or pretty enough? Do you ever feel like you just don't have what it takes to make it, that you don't have anything to offer the world, or that you don't deserve to be loved or respected by anyone?

There's someone you might like to meet. His name is Gideon, and if ever there was someone who sold himself short, it was Gideon. When God came to him with a command--nothing less than to deliver the nation of Israel from its oppressors--Gideon's reaction was, "Who, me?" Surely God had the wrong person. Gideon was the least important person in his family, and his clan was the weakest in its tribe. In short, Gideon was a nobody. There were plenty of other stronger, braver, better-looking people God could have chosen. So why would He choose the lowly Gideon?

Not even God's continual reassurances that Gideon was the right person for the job were enough to convince Gideon. He asked for all sorts of signs and miracles to prove that God meant what He said. Only after repeated miracles did Gideon accept God's chosen role for him--and he went on to become one of Israel's greatest leaders.

What about you? Do you believe that God loves you and can use you, no matter what you or others think about you? The Bible says that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made"--specially created by a loving Father to be a unique person with your own strengths and abilities. The God who knew you before you left your mother's womb has a special purpose in mind for you (Psalm 139:13-14). Don't sell yourself short--like Gideon did--when God calls upon you to face a challenge. He knows that you can handle it with His help. And wouldn't your Heavenly Father know best?