Anonymous asked: Hi Uncle Glen, I don’t really know how else to put this, but I’ve been looking for a job for the past 2 years now, and it’s very frustrating. And I hate that at times I would pray and ask God “Am I not good enough for these kind of jobs?” or “Am I asking for too much?” , “Do I not deserve this job?” I feel really crappy that I would end up asking God those questions when I know better than to think like that. I’m so confused, I don’t know what to do…any advice? Thanks in advance Unka Glen! [edited for length]
Unka Glen answered: There’s actually two problems here. The first is looking down on yourself. Why wouldn’t you ask: “is this job not good enough for me?”, am I settling for too little?”. or “do you want something better for me. Lord?” I’m wondering if this might be His way of getting your attention and showing you just that.
The other problem is, you’re looking down on God. WAY down. Let’s put it this way, imagine your friend says to you, “I’m having problems finding a job”, would you ever say, in a million years, “get the hint, you just aren’t good enough, so you’re asking for way better than what you deserve”? Of course you wouldn’t, but how do we imagine God, with infinite patience, mercy, and love, would be colder and meaner than… us?
That’s the problem with putting ourselves down, we end up putting down others for loving and believing in us, instead of agreeing with us. Insecurities seem to be self-inflicted, but we end up assuming the worst in everyone around us, and that’s just not cool. There’s no such thing as a sin that only effects you.
And speaking of putting yourself down, what, may I ask, is so wrong with you? Huh? Why is it the default answer that you suck, as opposed to, ya know, the job market sucking? Trust me beloved: you rock, it’s the world that sucks. Jesus said that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
But even with all that said, these questions, miles off as they may be, are still good questions to ask. I ask God about a dozen really dumb questions a day. “Is it just me or are these people crazy?”, or “Why can’t you just make them behave?”, or “When will kilts make a comeback?” You name it. But the key thing is to listen to the answer.
Some of the most important things I’ve learned have come as answers to pretty silly questions. So be still, tune out all the distractions, express all these crazy feelings, and lay them down on the altar. In that moment, you’ll hear that still, small voice that God speaks into our hearts, but don’t be surprised when His thoughts turn out to be radically different than yours, especially on the subject of you sucking.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
