Overcoming Learnt Helplessness

Most people have natural gifts, abilities and talents. We also have areas of weakness that we are not as confident in and sometimes struggle to master. I remember starting a job as an Administrative Assistant. I did not feel very competent at the job because I was not very proficient with the computer. I did not have a lot of training from my Manager who seemed unhappy in her role. She left the job soon after I started and I worked without a Manager for a few months. I panicked during my first couple of months and wondered how I would manage the day to day tasks. I remembered a story which I had learnt at church about how Joseph had an excellent spirit.

I prayed for God to give me the spirit of excellence to be equipped to do the job well. I also prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to help me and to show what to do. I was amazed that I started learning how to use the computer in order to send and respond to emails and other correspondence. I stayed in that same company for over eight years and managed to progress to the role of a supervisor. Looking back at the situation, I have to credit my success to the help of the Holy Spirit. This is because I did not have the natural skills and abilities to perform the job. I was empowered by the Holy Spirit to do what I could not naturally do.

The Holy Spirit is our comforter, teacher, guide and helper. There is nothing that is impossible when we rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit. I believe that if we are being led by the spirit, then there is no situation where God has placed us where he has not equipped us with what we need. What stops us from maximising our potential and doing things to best of our ability? Fear and a sense of inadequacy! We struggle when we listen to our fears and doubts and they become louder than the voice of God.

Most of us need some time to figure out new things and some tasks cause more struggle for us than others. Before you panic and start doubting your abilities, remember what the word of God says. We can do ALL things. Not some things or a few things, but ALL things through Christ Jesus. I am not saying that we should strain to take on activities or try to fit into roles that we are not created for us. However, if you find yourself in a job or position where you have been led by God, then trust the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom that you need to succeed.

“And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.” (Daniel 1:20).

A.P.-Y.