Bascom Methodist Church

Monday Morning Forecast

I think back on my years as a teacher and I believe that one of the biggest obstacles that I had with students was overcoming their initial response to everything…I can’t…I don’t know how…I’m not that good. One thing I realized was that they had been told repeatedly that they weren’t good enough, smart enough, or not talented enough to do something. Overcoming the damage done by the words of others was a constant battle in the classroom.

Let’s face it: most people struggle with the same doubts. We question our abilities, our failures, our past mistakes, our lack of experience, our qualifications, our age, and our shortcomings. We wonder whether God can really use someone like us.

Yet throughout Scripture, God consistently chooses ordinary people who feel inadequate. The reality is that He often does His greatest work through people just like that.

Moses stuttered and doubted his ability to speak.

Jeremiah doubted it because of his age.

Peter doubted it because of his countless failures.

Gideon doubted because of his weaknesses.

The common thread is this:
“God never asked them to be qualified before He called them.”
“God rarely calls the qualified; He qualifies those He calls.”

Please don’t miss those truths!
Doubt has a way of distorting our identity. It causes us to focus on our weaknesses, limitations, and insecurities rather than on God’s power and promises.

When God called Gideon to deliver the people of Israel, Gideon immediately listed all the reasons he wasn’t the right person for the job. He saw himself as weak, insignificant, and unqualified.
But God saw something completely different.
Before Gideon ever voiced his doubts, God called him a “mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12)
God was not speaking to who Gideon was in that moment; He was speaking to who Gideon would become through His presence and power at work in his life.

Listen closely. Instead of praying,
“God, use me,”
a better prayer might be:
“God, make me usable.”

A usable heart is humble, surrendered, faithful, available, teachable, and willing to trust God beyond its own limitations.
God is not looking for perfection; He is looking for availability.

When doubt whispers, “You can’t,” faith responds, “God can.”

The difference between Gideon’s fear and his victory was not newfound confidence in himself—it was confidence in the God who promised to be with him and who called him by name.

What doubts are keeping you from stepping into what God has called you to do?
Are you focusing more on your limitations, comfort, or inabilities than on God’s ability?
Stop doubting and begin trusting.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.
Be Worth Being.

Have a blessed week this week and give God the glory for what He can do in your life.