1. There are many prisons besides the ones of stone and iron bars.

2. Our thoughts can imprison us. They can enslave us and make us utterly miserable.

3. Many are imprisoned by feelings of inferiority.

• They feel unimportant, inadequate, and unable to achieve and contribute.

• They often become afraid to try new things or develop new skills.

1. All of us have limitations.

• At most we can do a few things well.

• Does this make us inferior?

2. Many have an exaggerated sense of inadequacy.

• They feel worthless and that they can do nothing well.

• This is usually based on failure in one or a few areas counted as very important to the person.

3. Others have feelings of inadequacy in some areas.

• For example they may feel confident at work.

• But they may feel great inadequacy at church.

1. Criticism

• Self-criticism

• This can be healthy.

• This can be destructive if too harsh.

• Criticism of others

• Most of us are very sensitive to criticism, especially to those criticisms from those close or important to us.

• We may come to accept criticism to our detriment. "You're no good."

• Criticism often comes early in life.

• Parents

• Teachers

• Peers and others

2. Opposition

• This may come from friends, strangers, competitors, enemies, etc.

• Financial setbacks often created feeling of inferiority.

3. Guilt

• They feel unworthy because of some wrong committed by self.

• They feel unworthy because of some wrong of others.

4. Lack of education or wealth

• "I'm too dumb." "I can't learn."

• "I'm too poor."

5. Thinking accomplishments come easy

• Some take years of training and experience.

• Some give up too easy.

6. Personal problems

• This can be with children, spouse, in-laws, others.

• This may come because of health or because of handicap.

7. Appearance

• One may be too fat or thin, too tall or short.

• One may be ugly or think he/she is ugly

8. Failure to achieve

• "I've failed at everything I ever tried."

• This statement may be true, but is nearly always an exaggeration.

9. Living up to negative expectations

• "I know I can't do it."

• "I can't learn."

10. Lack of praise or expecting too much praise

• Some never receive praise and this is very destructive to one's ego.

• Some expect it all the time, and failure to receive continuous praise causes them to feel inferior.

11. Seeking to do things which we have little or no talent.

• It is good to try new things.

• We need to accept we cannot do all things well.

1. Individuals

• Talents are wasted

• Many are unhappy (even misable)

• Others made unhappy

• They are affected by our lack of achievements.

• They are affected by our downtrodden attitude.

• Others held down

• We can influence others for good.

• Others can be discouraged by us.

2. Churches

• Outreach weak - have defeatist attitude.

• Benevolent programs effected

• There is limited giving to the poor. "We can't do much."

• There is no vision and motivation to reach out to the poor. "We are small." "We can't do much."

• Other programs hurt

• Do not grow

• Knowledge

• Fellowship, spiritually.

• Develop fewer leaders and teachers

1. Realizing who we are.

• Made in God's image (Gen. l:26, 27).

• Of great value to God (Psa. 8:4,5; Matt. 10:29-31).

• Sons of God (Gal. 3:26,27).

• Friends of Jesus (Jno. 15:14)

• Members of family of God (l Tim. 3:15)

2. Realizing who is on our side

• God (Rom. 8:31).

• Jesus (Matt. 28:20)

• Others stand ready to help and encourage us.

3. Realizing we do not have to be best.

• In reality we are probably never best.

• It is important that we feel good about ourselves and that we contribute.

4. Prayer

• We must discuss problem with God

• God is greater than any problem we have.

5. Positive thinking (Prov. 23:7; Phil. 4:13).

• We must not be afraid to try new things.

• We must not be afraid to dream.

6. Education

• Sometimes even a course or two can make a difference in our skills and confidence level.

• Some skills can be learned at home.

7. Set realistic goals

• Setting goals too high can make us feel inferior.

• I might not be able to memorize every scripture but I can memorize some scripture.

8. Trust God

• God is all-powerful and the more we trust in Him the more confident we will be. (Eph. 3:20).

• We can do great things by trusting in the living God.

9. Realizing confidence is a series of small things.

• Each improvement gives more confidence and leads to other improvements and more confidence.

• It is vital that we constantly improve in small things.

1. None of us can do everything, but we must not feel useless or inferior.

2. Each of us is important and this realization should give us the confidence to develop and use the talents God has given us.