For the first time in my 23 years of life, the world changed from what we thought of “normal” to conversations about whether or not “normal” would ever happen again.

We all crave a sense of normalcy, whether that be in eating at the same restaurant all the time because it’s “comfort food” to us, or watching yet ANOTHER season of Survivor, even though we know the ending. For myself, especially, and others I have talked to over the years, we crave normalcy in how we view ourselves. We want to be seen as “normal”- to fit in based on our personality or looks. Perhaps this is why the statistics for self-esteem and self-image are at an all-time-low and people continue to question why they aren’t “good enough.” Society has conditioned us to want to fit in, and people will go to great lengths sometimes in order to do so.

I have fallen victim to this far too many times. The reason? When it comes down to it, I am not always confident with my own capabilities, or in my sense of value as a person, but especially as a Christ follower. I know I am not alone in my struggles of self-doubt and self-image, and this epiphany is why I am writing this devotion. We are our own worst critics, right?

There are several people in Scripture who dealt with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy, but the one person I relate to the most is Moses. Moses, born into slavery under Pharaoh, eventually became the leader to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses is seen in several instances pleading with God to use someone else. He struggled with speaking; theologians believe he had a stutter or speech impediment. In Exodus 4, we see an example of this. God has told Moses he will be the deliverer of His people. Moses asks,

“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue… Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.”

Moses’ request is loaded with self-doubt. Instead of believing that the Lord will provide, Moses questions his OWN skills and feels inadequate.

How often have we done the same when Jesus asks something of us? Instead of being willing and ready to take on a challenge, we often become burdened with self-doubt, and come up with a plethora of excuses as to why we can’t possibly complete the task.

God’s response to Moses is the reassurance Moses needed, and a good reminder for us as well.

The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Did you catch that, friends? God never intended Moses to have it all together; He was simply asking Moses to trust Him with his inadequacies. The same is true for you and me. No matter how many excuses we make for ourselves or for the situations we find ourselves in, God can use them for good. Jesus can use them -use you- for His kingdom.

Recently, I heard someone state, “The presence of doubt doesn’t mean someone has a weak faith, it just solidifies our need for Jesus and His healing.” Your doubts do not mean you are inadequate. Rather, in times of self-doubt and not feeling “enough,” God often further reveals His goodness and truth to us.