It's the opposite of the Superiority Complex - what we usually think of when we think of pride. But, in reality, it's just as bad for us, and our relationship with God as one of His children, when the pride comes from the other end of the spectrum.
The Inferiority Complex is a type of pride I'll be teaching about tonight in Ladies' Bible Class. I found a great lesson about this complex and how it relates to the problem we have of pride. Here is a quote from the lesson:
"Feeling inadequate is exactly what we all should feel, because then we'll depend on the Lord to make us competent. As Paul said, "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God" (2 Corinthians 3:4-5). Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing!" (John 15:5). His Holy Spirit lives within us from baptism on (Acts 2:37-39). The same Person who empowered the Lord Jesus in His ministry is in residence in our hearts."
Our reliance is on Him. He makes us competent...not ourselves. We get in trouble when we focus too much on SELF.
Think about it:
We compare ourselves to others and we worry about what they think of US.
We don't feel adequate in our job, our role as a wife or mother. We worry about what people think about US.
Do you see how it is all coming back to SELF??? When we worry about how we compare to others or when we measure our worth by performance or appearance, we are going to feel insecure. Those insecurities all lead back to SELF. That's what makes it a form of pride. Pride is thinking of SELF too much.
So, how can we get rid of this selfish attitude? We can only do that by relying on God. We must realize that HE is the source of our strength and our abilities. When we learn to put our complete trust and faith in Him, those insecurities will go away. Keeping our eyes on Jesus.....keeping our head looking up and not at self....that is the best way to turn your thoughts around. That will be the beginning of a new life - a life not focused on ourselves - but focused on the only One who can make that inferiority complex go away.
For in him you have been enriched in every way--with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:5
Put it to work: Read the scripture above, but where it says "YOU" say "I". Put special emphasis on the words IN HIM.
It will read "For IN HIM "I" have been enriched in every way -- with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. IN HIM....IN HIM.....He has done things for ME. Say that over and over and over in your mind. :)
1 comment:
Very encouraging to read it that way! I constantly struggle with this, to tell you the truth. Just because my main focus for the last 24 years has been my kids and my job is almost over. So I'm not really equipped at this point to do anything great in the world's eyes, I have to remind myself that I am valuable in God's eyes.
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