Those words are kind of the theme of many of my days. These days leading up to hip surgery have me coming close to tears quite often and even having the tears more often than I want to admit. A couple of times recently I have been guilty of saying—I can't. This week it was I can't several times when I actually could, if I forced myself through the pain! I just was finding it so very difficult that I was close to declaring I CAN'T! The list of possible things I can't do is increasing though the dictionary will not tell me that there isn’t a plural form of can't! There is no word "can'ts" that covers many things I can’t do, though I think there could or should be one. At any rate, some days I want to say I can't when walking hurts so bad. I did say I can't can any more applesauce—it's too hard! Cleaning various things makes me say I just can't! I know better than to try to drive a car—I can't! The brake pedal might be needed, and I can't trust my foot and leg to move fast enough. I can't go out to help in the garden with weeding and mulching and picking the produce. I can't even take care of my patio plants the way they should be taken care of. They are looking so sad without attention. I can't enjoy them the way I want to. I can't go walking in the woods or along the lake or down the lane or around our yard. All things I want to do but can't. There are some cars that I can't get into without help. We had to make sure to purchase a car that I could enter without help—I tried it out before we bought. I attempted to sweep the floors 2 weeks ago. Then I forgot that I had said I wouldn't try it again. Last week I tried to do it again—I was quick to remember the "I can't" words. I often have something to do at church that should be done from the front and with a sound system. But I can't get to the front so easily and in a timely manner. I have to use the words "I can't" yet again. And my list of "I cant’s" can go on and on.
Do you, like me, struggle with thinking you’re not enough for your spouse, children, church, friends—not enough for God? Do you feel too weak or ill-qualified? I’ve experienced those feelings. I often ask myself, “Who am I to write these thoughts for God?” I’m aware of my weaknesses and unworthiness. I’m not better than others and sometimes feel less than. When someone responds to an article saying it helped or encouraged them, I know it’s because of God’s grace. Mother Teresa once said, “I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” That’s how I feel. I know I fall short as a writer, wife, or mother, and this saddens me.
But I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone in my feelings of I can't. Many characters in the Bible felt this way and they tried to say I can't to God.
1. One Was too Afraid
The Israelites were slaves and cried for help. God answered their prayers through Moses, who had fled to the wilderness. While tending sheep, he saw something amazing—a burning bush not being consumed. He came closer and God spoke to him, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So, I have come to rescue them...So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:7-10) Moses argued with God, telling God, I can't:
“Who am I that I should go?” he asked. God responded, “I will be with you....” (Exodus 3:11-12) “What if they do not believe me or listen to me?” God demonstrated he would use miracles and signs to show proof. (Exodus 4:1-9) “I have never been eloquent...I am slow of speech and tongue.” God responded, “Who gave human beings their mouths?... Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you and teach you what to say.” (Exodus 4:10-12) Moses ended with, “O, please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). He couldn’t believe he was enough for this job. Although angry, God showed Moses grace by sending his brother, Aaron, to speak for him. Moses obeyed and God did great and wondrous works through him and delivered His people from slavery in Egypt. His I can't turned into He could, with God! God’s calling in our lives does not depend on our abilities but our obedience. God is there to help us through our "I can'ts."
2. One Felt too Weak
The Israelites were suffering from oppression of the Midianites. God sent an angel to Gideon, who was threshing wheat in secret so the enemy couldn’t steal it. “When the angel appeared to Gideon, he said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’” Gideon answered, “If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?...The LORD has abandoned us” (Judges 6:11-13). The angel persisted, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14) Gideon replied, “’How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family’. I can't!! The LORD answered, ‘I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites’” (Judges 6:15-16).Gideon felt too weak for this task. Twice he asked God to give him a sign proving His power and He graciously answered. Gideon then obeyed and delivered his people (Judges 6 and 7). Fearful Gideon became a mighty warrior who rescued God’s people. God understands our doubts and fears. He uses our weaknesses to lead us to depend on Him, and through weaknesses, experience His strength. Strength to get me past the I can't and on to "I will try".
3. One Who Felt too Young
God said to the prophet Jeremiah, “Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet.” Jeremiah answered, “Alas...I do not know how to speak; I am too young” (Jeremiah 1:5-6).
Jeremiah felt inadequate. He believed in God but doubted He could use him. He said, I can't! The LORD encouraged, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you” (Jeremiah 1:7-8). God told him He would give him whatever words he needed. For forty years, Jeremiah served God and warned His people. Jeremiah, who doubted, served as one of God’s greatest prophets. His story teaches us though we may fear failure, when we move forward in faith, God works through us to fulfill His purpose. We can go from I can’t to I will.
4. One Felt Rejected
Jesus waited alone until a woman arrived at the well around noontime. Women would usually came together in the cool of the morning but she came alone in the heat of the day. Normally, a Jewish man would not speak to a woman in public much less a hated Samaritan. But Jesus surprised her by speaking to her, a Samaritan. She told Him, I can't talk to you. He offered an invitation to believe in Him. Then He said, “Go and call your husband and come back.” Some scholars suggest Jesus revealed the reason she came alone. Her past may have caused the other women to shun her. If so, she would have come alone to avoid their judgment and rejection. Whatever was true about her life, she likely had experienced deep pain and feelings of unworthiness. The woman believed Jesus and ran to tell everyone in town about the Messiah (John 4:29).
The woman, presumably isolated because of her past, told everyone about Jesus.
Each of these Bible characters learned an important lesson: We are all inadequate and can't--by ourselves, but God welcomes and loves us exactly as we are. When we are weak, He reveals His strength through us (2 Corinthians 12:10). Our limitations don’t limit God. In Him, we are complete. He says to us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Another Bible man said, No Balak, I can't do that. I can't say the curses that you want me to say. And with God, he did the opposite and blessed God's people.
God does not ask anyone to do anything that they cannot do. If God placed it in a person’s heart to do something, it can be done! Maybe not on their own, maybe not without God’s help, but if God calls a person to do something, he CAN do it!
This wipes out so many excuses. “I can’t quit my drinking.” If God convicted you about destroying your body and life with alcohol, or even drugs, He can help you get control over that controlling sin. “I cannot read my Bible, pray, and go to church”. You can, if you let God prioritize your time. “I can’t live the way a Christian should live because I’ll lose all my friends.” Hmmm, God can give you new friends.
“I can’t tell the truth all the time, or I’ll get in trouble!” Maybe forced honesty will steer you away from tempting situations in the first place.
“I can’t tithe because I barely have enough money to live as it is.” God can make a “little” go a long way, if you will trust Him!”
“I can’t tell others how to be saved because I’m shy; and I don’t know what to say.” God says to me, try! God will give me the words; and if I do make mistakes, He will direct me to be more prepared and place words in my mouth.
Most of our I can't excuses are not enough to keep us from obeying God. We can do all God requires of us. He will not require a Christian something that he is not able to do. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
I can’t—it’s impossible! Luke 18:27
I can’t—I’m too tired! Matthew 11:28-30
I can’t—nobody really loves me! John 3:16
I can’t—go on! 2 Corinthians 12:9
I can’t—figure things out! Proverbs 3:5-6
I can’t—do it! Philippians 4:13
I can’t—I’m not able to! 2 Corinthians 9:8
I can’t—it’s not worth it! Romans 8:28
I can’t—forgive myself! 1 John 1:9
I can’t—manage! Philippians 4:19
I can’t—I’m too worried and frustrated! 1 Peter 5:7
I can’t—I’m not smart enough James 1:5
Guess I must at least try since God has promised me help with my ”can’ts”!