Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Feeling Inadequate When New Opportunities Arise
You may have recently started a new job, received a promotion, or been given more responsibility at work. This is no doubt an exciting time, but it can also be an intimidating season and cause you to feel overwhelmed and inadequate. New opportunities can be daunting; it’s perfectly natural to feel unqualified or overwhelmed.
I remember the first time I was asked to take on a ministry leadership role with a local church. I was a recent college graduate and eager to serve. Yet I felt terribly unqualified to serve in that way. Thoughts of my inadequacy grew as other team members questioned my experience and expressed concern over some of my ideas.
I had to learn to reset my perspective to remember God had a plan and purpose for me.
One of my mentors reminded me that I was struggling with these feelings because I had given more credence to the opinions of others than I had given to the plan of God. I had to learn to reset my perspective to remember God had a plan and purpose for me in that position. After some struggle, I eventually learned to resist anxiety and discouragement by trusting God more than I trusted my feelings.
It can be tempting at times to retreat from the growth process and take the easy way out by playing it safe and not trying hard. However, when God opens a door of opportunity, we should walk through it with courage.
Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that we don’t have to operate from a place of fear. We don't have to rehearse our shortcomings so often that they become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, we are called to honor God and allow His Word, presence, and peace to help us grow in challenging environments.
Tips for When You're Feeling Unqualified
Here are some insights to help you overcome feelings of inadequacy in the workplace.
1. Remember your identity in Christ.
Develop confidence and courage based on God’s Word and your identity in Christ, not on how you feel in the moment. Ephesians 2:10 encourages us to remember who we are in Christ. “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
2. Be willing to adjust your expectations.
Don’t be afraid to shift your approach if necessary. Sometimes surprises are blessings in disguise. Pray before you act. Seek the wisdom and purpose of God to help you navigate challenging and uncertain circumstances. Proverbs 19:21 says, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
3. Follow God’s standard of resolving fear and conflict.
Rely on His Word and wisdom to guide you. Focus on where His power, love, and the self-control of the Holy Spirit are at work in your heart. Second Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
4. Connect with others who lead in your field and learn from them.
Seek out godly examples to follow. Listen to podcasts, and read blogs or books. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.”
Pause and Reflect
1. Identify one area where you have allowed fear and uncertainty to stop you from accomplishing your goals. Spend 5-10 minutes praying and confessing this fear and asking God to help you overcome it.
2. Memorize and meditate on 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
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