How Can Feelings of Inferiority Be Helpful?

We have had a discussion in the Rockbridge Seminary class, The Theology and Practice of Ministry, about "How can I be a priest when I feel inferior"

I find it interesting how that people who seem to be so outgoing deal with inferiority. The song leader (minister of music, worship leader, whatever you want to call him) in one of the churches I have pastored seemed to be one of the most outgoing extroverted individuals you might meet when he is leading music or teaching a class; however, he mentioned being in a workshop for his work where the leader asked them to place themselves in a line with being on the left end of the line as being very introverted and being on the right end of the line as being very extroverted. Someone started, and then others placed themselves next to those standing where they thought they would be on the line. When it came his turn, he asked where the starting point was, which would also be the designation of very introverted. Then, instead of placing himself there, he walked way over several feet even to the left of the starting point. What a surprise to almost anyone who observes him when he is ministering to a group!

Several in this class have transparently mentioned feelings of inferiority. One described an inferiority mindset, yet he serves in a position that to many of us would seem to be outgoing or confident. “I am a worship leader and have a passion for leading others to worship. That primary expression is through music.” That reminded me of our worship leader.

Another student sometimes feels inferior because of his youth, but he has got a handle on things when he says, “However when I really step back and look at the whole scheme of things I realize that I have such a blessing to be in ministry so young and be learning things that my mentors didn't learn until they were much older.”

Some of us in dealing with our inferiority compensate by forcing ourselves to go a little further in the other direction. I can identify with the student who said, “I have, in the spirit of self defense trying to rescue my 'sorry unwanted self', taken on quite the attitude of self-reliance. Which leads to and become the attitude of superiority.”

Even if we experience some feeling of inferiority, we often do not want to ask for help. As another student said says, “I understand we are created for relationship and do not at all feel 'put out' when someone needs something from me, but, boy oh boy, will I bend over backwards to avoid 'needing' anyone else.” That kind of expresses our compensating spirit of self-reliance that the student mentioned above.

Feelings of inferiority can be a blessing when they produce in us a true spirit of humility. After all, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble! Once we get past feelings of inferiority, or if our desire to serve overrides those feelings, we are interested in discovering our spiritual gifts and other strengths. One of the students talked about the use of “Network,” which she described as a great resource, in her church: “I thought the program was done very well and it was well received at our church. We failed, though, at the follow-up (a re-occuring problem!).”

How could we help others see the need to discover their ministries and to function as priests? One person suggested: "On[e] thing about post-moderns is they want to be connected to the past, so one could teach about the ancient role of the priest and the ancient use of sacrifice in a relevant way, and then connect it to the new covenant.”

This is a good start to some of these issues. I look forward to hearing some more about how to handle them.