Useless to Useful: Finding Purpose When You Feel Worthless

Something that is useless does not fulfil any purpose and is often discarded. Many people carry a quiet conviction that they amount to little, yet the Bible reveals a God who specialises in taking the unprofitable and making it valuable. This article looks at why we feel useless, how God transforms lives that seem to count for nothing, and the practical steps by which a wholeheartedly surrendered life becomes genuinely useful to Him.

Why We Feel Useless

Some people with low self-esteem have a hopeless mindset characterised by aimlessness, laziness and a lack of motivation. While we all experience hurts and failures, this does not make us failures – refusing to try again does! When there are setbacks, do not allow negative encounters and Satan's opinion to define you or dictate your future, as he tries to discourage us in anything we do for God (Rev 12:10). Be inspired as you observe the strengths of others and what they are doing, and let this be a catalyst to transform your thinking from 'I'm useless, I can't' to 'Yes, I can – through Christ'. In humility recognise, "I can of my own self do nothing, yet through Christ's power I can do what He asks and calls me to do" (Jn 5:30; Phil 4:13). Apply yourself, claiming His strength and enabling as you acknowledge, "I am weak but He is strong" (2 Cor 11:29, 12:10).

Which unproductive areas of my life should I address to create something of value?

There must also be reality in our profession of Christianity, with actions backing up our words – "our faith made complete by what we do" – or else it is futile (Jas 2:20,22). The Israelites outwardly worshipped God with their lips but their hearts were not in it; this hollow, token gesture was hypocritical and useless in bringing any glory to God (Isa 29:13). Repeatedly in the Bible idols are termed useless because they are unable to respond (1 Sam 12:20-21; Ps 115:4-7; Jer 10:5,14). A life lived without a vital connection to God is likewise termed useless (Eccl 1:2-11) – do not make the mistake of trying to live without Him.

It is our responsibility to avoid what is unprofitable and useless, for it wastes time and has no eternal value (Tit 3:9). Salt that has lost its saltiness – not fulfilling its purpose – is good for nothing but to be thrown out (Mt 5:13).

Three Examples of God Turning the Useless into the Useful

Onesimus had been useless to his master, yet through Paul's investment he was transformed – "He was useless, but now has become useful" (Phm 1:11). No failure, desertion or poor start permanently disqualifies a person from usefulness in God's hands. Do not accept Satan's lie that failure is final.

Put yourself in the Creator's hands to discover your role

A boy's lunch of five loaves and two fish was far too small to feed a crowd, yet when Jesus was present it fed several thousand people (Jn 6:9-13). His word was, "Bring them here to Me" (Mt 14:18) – and it was His power to multiply what was placed in His hands, not the size of the resource, that made the difference. Whatever we give to Him might seem insignificant or of little value, yet God can transform what is wholeheartedly surrendered to Him. Factor in His potential for what you place in His hands, for He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Phil 1:6) – our usefulness grows over time rather than being achieved instantly.

Peter denied his Lord three times, yet was restored and commissioned to strengthen and feed God's people (Jn 21:15-17). Do not consider yourself useless; look to God the miracle worker, who is for you and never rejects anyone (Jn 6:37). Every believer can play a vital role in the Kingdom of God as they work with the Holy Spirit to be vessels of honour (2 Tim 2:20-21).

Steps from Useless to Useful

Begin by accepting God's verdict over your feelings: bring your sense of worthlessness honestly to Him, confessing any self-pity, laziness or hopelessness that has taken root (1 Jn 1:9). Deliberately take every undisciplined, negative thought captive and replace it with what God says about you (2 Cor 10:5). Then surrender afresh your abilities, your inadequacies and whatever little you think you have, placing them in the Creator's hands (Rom 12:1-2) and asking Him to show you the role He has prepared for you.

Confess, surrender, connect – then serve and persist

Stay vitally connected to Christ, for apart from Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5), and let the daily grind become the training ground where character is formed. Practically, serve the needs you can already see (Mk 10:45), associate with capable, godly people who will sharpen you (Prov 27:17), and persist even when results seem small, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up (Gal 6:9). As you co-operate with the Holy Spirit in this way, God multiplies what is surrendered and works out far more than you could ask or imagine (Eph 3:20).

Reflection and Application

Whose verdict will I accept over my life – Satan's or God's? Choose today to agree with God, who is for me (Rom 8:31).
What 'loaves and fish' will I place in Jesus' hands this week, trusting Him to multiply my small offering (Lk 16:10)?
Which unproductive habit or time-waster will I surrender, making the most of every opportunity God gives (Eph 5:15-16)?
Whom can I encourage this week, so that together we become more useful in God's hands (Heb 10:24)?