Limitations: Embracing Our Humanity While Trusting in God's Power

Regardless of our ability and expertise in various areas, we all have our earthly limitations – including that of time, resources, and strength. Due to the frailty of our humanity, there is a finite threshold to what we are able to do. In many things we are powerless, yet we should be continually open to the Spirit of God to work in and through us as obedient vessels for His glory.

Our Human Limitations vs God's Unlimited Power

In contrast to our impotency, God is not constrained in any way – He is all-powerful (omnipotent), able to do whatever He desires. "Of the fullness of His grace we all have received" means all the resources and riches of God are available in Christ, who is able to do much more than we ask or even imagine because it is His power, not ours (Jn 1:16; Eph 3:20; Phil 4:19). This includes with Christ, we are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37).

Mary, the yet-to-be mother of Jesus was young, poor and female – all factors that people of her day would consider made her unsuitable for God to use in a major way. However, this wasn't a problem to God. He just requires a willing and obedient heart. Do not limit His power or put yourself out of the race, rather say, "I am the Lord's servant be it unto me..." (Lk 1:38).

Do not under-rate your ability through false humility or inferiority so that you don't attempt things. Expectations will sometimes be shattered and mistakes or failures will happen, but through them, we find out weaknesses in our character and areas of ability that need to be attended to. Don't be held down by your mental perception, rather get God's view and see the possibilities.

Don't focus on what is against you, rather on what and who is for you

Developing Faith Beyond Our Comfort Zone

Some people are better at manual tasks, others at jobs that require more mental involvement; nevertheless, there is room for improvement for all of us! As your ability increases do not fail to recognise and give Him thanks for the enabling. Move out into God's unlimited power and ability. He did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and of self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7).

While in the natural realm there may be various restraints, in the spiritual our faith should be developing so we can believe and see increasing growth and fruitfulness in our ministry and answers to prayer. We should not be confident in our own ability and resources, rather putting our confidence and trust in Christ, for we are only the channels through which He flows, as the power is not in us.

Continually challenge your comfort zone – stretching the boundaries of what you are comfortable with. Our potential is always greater than what we have achieved!

Satan tries to shut us down by getting us to focus our attention on our impotency and lack through taking our eyes off the resources available in Christ who enables us to do all the things He has called us to (Phil 4:13). In faith, provided we are doing what we are able to, we can expect God to supply what we are incapable of doing for ourselves.

See limitations as opportunities for faith and effort to conquer

Walking in Dependency on Christ

We should not try to be self-sufficient but walk in dependency on Him, receiving from Him, then channelling those blessings on to those who require a touch from Christ (Mt 7:7-11; Jn 15:4,5). Limitations are what we shackle ourselves with – the 'buts' are excuses we employ, that seriously impede how God is able to work through us. If He has called us to do something, in faith and obedience begin.

Our Complete Need for Divine Assistance

This is precisely why we need the Lord to help us – because of ourselves we are not effective. Our human nature, apart from God's enabling grace, is fundamentally flawed and insufficient for accomplishing His purposes. The apostle Paul understood this reality when he declared, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13), and "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God" (2 Cor 3:5).

Jesus Himself emphasized this truth when He said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). This is not merely a suggestion or encouragement – it is a fundamental spiritual reality. Without the Lord's intervention, guidance, and empowerment, our efforts remain merely human endeavours that may appear successful but lack eternal significance and divine effectiveness.

Our self-reliance often becomes the very barrier that prevents God's power from flowing through us. When we attempt to operate in our own strength, wisdom, and resources, we inadvertently limit what God can accomplish through our lives. True effectiveness comes not from human competence but from divine enablement working through surrendered vessels.

Human effort without divine enablement produces works of wood, hay, and stubble

This dependency is not a weakness to be ashamed of, but rather the very design of God's kingdom. He intentionally uses the weak things of the world to confound the mighty, so that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Cor 1:27-29). Our limitations become the platform for His unlimited power to be displayed. When we acknowledge our insufficiency, we create space for His sufficiency to operate.

The Lord's help is not merely an addition to our natural abilities – it is the essential foundation upon which all true spiritual effectiveness rests. Whether in ministry, relationships, decision-making, or daily challenges, we must cultivate a conscious awareness of our need for His wisdom, strength, and guidance. This humble recognition of our dependency becomes the key that unlocks heaven's resources in our lives.

Reflection and Application:

Identify areas where false humility or inferiority has held you back from attempting what God may be calling you to do.
Consider how you can shift your focus from personal limitations to God's unlimited resources and power.
Reflect on past situations where God worked through your weakness to accomplish something beyond your ability.
Commit to stepping out in faith and obedience, trusting God to supply what you cannot do for yourself.