Inability: Understanding Powerlessness and Finding Strength in Weakness
Inability refers to being unable to do something through lack of sufficient ability, power, or means. It may manifest as a physical impairment or handicap in some area, which can make us feel vulnerable and incompetent.
Understanding the Nature of Inability
Inability encompasses various forms of limitation—whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual—that affect our capacity to perform certain tasks or fulfill specific roles. These limitations can be temporary or permanent, congenital or acquired through life circumstances. The experience of inability often brings feelings of frustration, inadequacy, and dependence on others.
Satan would endeavour to use inability as a reason why we should disqualify ourselves from any effective service in the Kingdom of God. The enemy seeks to exploit our weaknesses, whispering lies that God cannot use someone with such limitations. This spiritual attack targets our identity and purpose, attempting to convince us that our usefulness to God is determined by our natural abilities rather than His sovereign choice and enabling power.
It's important to distinguish between genuine inability and the excuses we often make for not attempting what God calls us to do. Excuses are rationalizations we offer to avoid responsibility or risk, often masking fear, laziness, or lack of faith. While inability represents real limitations, excuses frequently stem from unwillingness to trust God and step out in faith. The enemy loves to turn our genuine inabilities into excuses for inaction, convincing us that our limitations disqualify us from serving God.
Failure, on the other hand, is not the same as inability. Failure is an event—a temporary setback or disappointing result—whereas inability is a condition or limitation. Many people who experience failure mistakenly believe they are incapable, allowing a single defeat to define their identity and potential. However, failure is often a necessary part of growth and learning. The Bible is filled with examples of people who failed miserably yet were still powerfully used by God: Peter denied Christ, Moses disobeyed God, David committed adultery and murder. These failures did not disqualify them from God's purposes; rather, they became opportunities for repentance, restoration, and deeper reliance on God's grace.
God's perspective on our inability stands in stark contrast to the world's view. While society often values strength, competence, and self-sufficiency, God frequently chooses the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Throughout Scripture, we see God using individuals with significant limitations to accomplish extraordinary purposes, demonstrating that His power is made perfect in human weakness.
Don't excuse yourself from what you should attempt
Consider Moses, who felt inadequate due to his speech impediment, yet God used him to deliver Israel from Egypt. Think of Gideon, the least in his family, who God called to lead an army. Remember Timothy, whom Paul encouraged not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth. These examples illustrate that God's calling and equipping are not limited by our natural abilities or disabilities.
The apostle Paul experienced a "thorn in the flesh"—a persistent weakness that he pleaded with God to remove. Instead of removing it, God responded with profound truth that would transform Paul's understanding of weakness and strength.
God's Grace in Our Weakness
God told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). This declaration reveals a divine paradox: God's power shows up best in weak people—those who recognize in themselves they can't do it without His enabling. The sufficiency of God's grace means His unmerited favor and empowering presence are enough to sustain us through every limitation and challenge we face.
Paul's response to this truth demonstrates profound spiritual maturity: "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10). This statement doesn't mean weakness itself becomes strength, but rather that in our weakness, we learn to rely more completely on God's strength. The more we acknowledge our inability, the more we position ourselves to receive and experience His unlimited ability working through us.
It is good to attempt to address the areas of weakness or areas we are deficient in, not so we become self-reliant and think we don't need the Lord's help, but rather so He can use us in a greater way in spite of them. This balanced approach acknowledges both our responsibility to grow and our ongoing dependence on God's grace.
Weakness is the pathway to greater dependence on God
We must always be mindful that "I can do all things [that He requires of me] through Christ [not independent of Him] who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13). This familiar verse is often misunderstood as a promise of unlimited personal achievement, but in context, it speaks of contentment and endurance through Christ's strength regardless of circumstances—whether in abundance or need, in ability or inability.
The key is maintaining dependence on Christ. When we attempt to serve or overcome challenges in our own strength, we inevitably fall short. But when we acknowledge our inability and rely on His enabling, we tap into a power far beyond our natural capacity. This dynamic transforms our weaknesses from liabilities into opportunities for God's glory to be displayed.
Spiritual Warfare and Dependence
On our own, we are no match for Satan's sneaky schemes. The enemy is far more powerful, cunning, and experienced than any human being. Our natural abilities, education, and resources are insufficient to overcome spiritual opposition. Therefore, we must be like Jesus and when tempted declare the Word of God (Mt 4:1-10).
Jesus demonstrated perfect dependence on the Father during His temptation in the wilderness. Though He was the Son of God, He faced the enemy not by asserting His divine power but by wielding the written Word, saying "It is written." This pattern reveals that spiritual victory comes through submission to God's Word and reliance on His truth, not through human strength or cleverness.
We can't walk in the ways of righteousness without His help, for "It is not for man to direct his steps" (Jer 10:23). This humbling truth acknowledges that human wisdom is fundamentally limited and often misguided regarding spiritual matters. Our natural inclinations tend away from God's ways, making His guidance and empowerment absolutely essential.
We cannot walk in righteousness without His help
The Christian life is not about overcoming inability through self-improvement or determination. It's about embracing our inability as the very condition that drives us to dependence on God. Our weaknesses become constant reminders of our need for Him, keeping us humble and preventing the pride that leads to spiritual downfall. In this way, what seems like a liability becomes an asset in our spiritual journey.
Ultimately, our inability is not a barrier to God's purposes but a canvas upon which He displays His power. When we acknowledge our limitations and trust in His sufficiency, we position ourselves to be used by Him in ways that exceed our natural capacity. This is the essence of walking by faith—not by sight, ability, or strength—but by confident dependence on the One who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Reflection and Application:
- Identify areas of inability in your life where you feel inadequate or limited; bring these before God in honest prayer.
- Reflect on how God might want to use your weaknesses as opportunities to display His strength and grace.
- Consider whether you've been allowing feelings of inability to disqualify you from serving God; surrender these lies to Him.
- Memorize and meditate on 2 Corinthians 12:9, allowing its truth to transform your perspective on weakness.