In younger days I used to think I was the only one who had an inferiority complex and felt insecure. I have long since learned that feeling insecure was part of the human condition and I wasn’t alone by any means. Half the answer to overcoming this feeling is to admit it and then we are free to grow and change. Sadly, these feelings are often embedded into our mind by others who put us down or simply don’t believe in us.

For instance, I recently read how “the famous Psychiatrist Dr. Alfred Adler had an experience when a young boy, which illustrates just how powerful such a belief can be upon behavior and ability. He got off to a bad start in arithmetic and his teacher became convinced that he was ‘dumb in mathematics.’ The teacher then advised the parents of this ‘fact’ and told them not to expect too much of him. They too were convinced. Adler passively accepted the evaluation they had placed upon him. And his grades in arithmetic proved they had been correct.

“One day, however, he had a sudden flash of insight and thought he saw how to work a problem the teacher had put on the board, and which none of the other pupils could work. He announced as much to the teacher. She and the whole class laughed. Whereupon, he became indignant, strode to the blackboard, and worked the problem much to their amazement. In doing so, he realized that he could understand arithmetic. He felt a new confidence in his ability, and went on to become a good math student.”

A few years ago I shared a poem I had written with a friend and he picked it to pieces. Tragically I believed his words and never wrote another poem for years. What got me started again was when a gifted artist told me how much she loved my poems. That inspired me to write more. The fact is, we all need someone who sees the gifts we have, who believes in us, and encourages us to develop our gifts and use them.

Note: If interested, see poems: “Forever Friend” at http://tinyurl.com/3z238u and “Unsung Songs” at http://tinyurl.com/4vsnnj by yours truly.

Suggested prayer, “Dear God, thank you for the gifts and abilities you have given to me. Please help me to know what these are, be well trained and skillful in using them, believe in myself as you believe in me, and use my gifts for your glory. And please help me to be an encourager of others to help them see, develop, and use their gifts also for your glory. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Matthew 9:29 (NIV).