How should I respond to my limitations?

Job 40:4“I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand.”

Job 42:1-5Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”

We should begin by acknowledging that we have limitations. Acknowledging our weakness and God’s limitless power will convince us of our utter need and dependence on him. The first step to overcoming any problem is to recognize that the problem exists. If we cannot recognize our limitations and our need for God, we will never begin to overcome those limitations through his strength.

Genesis 17:15-19God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.” Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!” But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.”

We should not project our limitations on God. God doesn’t put nearly as many limitations on what we can accomplish as we put on God for what he can accomplish. Imposing our limitations on God causes us to doubt his ability to work in our lives. We are the ones who build the fences that limit us.

Exodus 3:10-11“Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

Exodus 4:10-13Moses 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.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Judges 6:14-16The Lord turned to him [Gideon] and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”

We should not use our limitations as an excuse to stop serving God. Our claim “We cannot” is not acceptable because “He can.”

Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

We should enlist the help of others. Others can overcome our limitations. We were not made to go it alone. Wisdom is the recognition of our own inadequacies. Foolishness is thinking we have none. God often helps us through the caring help of others.