Is it Possible to be Content When Life Makes us Feel Inferior?

Recently I have been struggling with feeling inferior.

I started a new job working part-time at my church’s public coffee shop. I watch church staff and others I serve at my job as they participate in meetings and work on their projects. Watching them I realized I have the capacity to do the work they are doing. Yet, I am here on this side of the counter, and they are out there doing a “greater work” than I. Have you ever felt this way? Does your job currently have you in a simple role even though you are confident you are capable of so much more? Are you a parent who is dedicated to being home with your family, all the while knowing your current responsibilities are not utilizing the valuable training you received through your education or other life experiences?

Let me be very clear; I love my job.

It is exactly what our family needs in this season. I work with wonderful people and have fun doing it. I am also fully aware that if I were to take on a different position, it would mean giving up the work I do for various ministries and could possibly interfere with my writing. These are compromises I am not currently willing to make.

Fortunately, I am blessed to be in a position where I don’t have to choose work over ministry. Most of the time, I am content with where I presently find myself in life. However, even for just a moment, other thoughts can creep in. Fears of being looked down on by customers because of the side of the counter I am on sometimes unwittingly pop into my head. I know God has gifted me in special ways. I also know this is where He has me for now. So how do we combat moments of doubt in our current positions with the truth of what God has for us in this season of life?

I believe the answer is humility.

Three times in the gospels, once in Matthew and twice in Luke, Jesus says the high will be brought low, and the low will be lifted up. I love the way the Message translation puts it. “If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself,” Luke 18:14 (See also Luke 14:11 and Matthew 23:12.) 

The last part of that verse is what really stands out to me. “If you are content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.” I think a good application of this verse would be to rephrase it in this way. If you are content to be who God has you to be right now, He will use you in ways you don’t even see coming. 

We all have times in our lives where what we are doing does not line up with what we know is possible.

While we might be tempted to become bitter, jealous, or hung up on what could be, it is important to remember that our lives are not our own. As Christians, we choose daily to submit our whole selves to God to be used the way He chooses. His Word promises that when we humble ourselves in this way, letting Him be in control, He will alway work for our good.

This truth brought peace to my soul and a sense of anticipation about how God is going to use this season of my life.

So, the next time I find myself having thoughts about being inferior because of the side of the counter I am on at my job, I am going to choose to thank God for where He has me right now. This won’t change my situation, but it will change my thoughts and attitude toward it.

When you feel underutilized in life how do you normally react? How could choosing a heart of humility in such situations change your point of view?