Those who say they can and those who say they can't are both usually right
Those Who Say They Can and Those Who Say They Can't Are Both Usually Right
At first glance, this quote sounds like a lesson in positive thinking. But as Christians, we know there is something deeper at work.
The Bible is full of people who looked at God's calling and immediately thought, I can't.
Moses said he wasn't a good speaker.
Gideon said he was the weakest in his family.
Jeremiah said he was too young.
Peter failed repeatedly.
The disciples were ordinary people with no remarkable credentials.
Yet God used each of them in extraordinary ways.
Why?
Because while they believed they couldn't, God knew He could.
The Danger of "I Can't"
There is a kind of humility that honors God, and there is a kind of humility that doubts Him.
When God calls us to something difficult, our first instinct is often to focus on our own limitations.
"I can't share my faith."
"I can't lead."
"I can't forgive them."
"I can't raise these children well."
"I can't serve overseas."
"I can't make a difference."
And if we're honest, many of those statements are true.
By ourselves, we can't.
But the Christian life was never designed to be lived through our own strength.
When we say "I can't" and stop there, we are measuring the situation only by our ability. We are forgetting to measure it by God's power.
The Difference Between Self-Confidence and God-Confidence
The world often teaches that success comes from believing in yourself.
Scripture teaches something different.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
Notice what Paul didn't say.
He didn't say, "I can do all things because I'm talented."
He didn't say, "I can do all things because I believe in myself."
His confidence was rooted in Christ.
Christian confidence is not believing that we are enough.
Christian confidence is believing that God is enough.
Faith Changes What We Attempt
What would happen if Noah focused only on what he couldn't do?
What if Esther focused only on her fears?
What if the disciples focused only on the impossibility of feeding thousands of people?
Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly invites people into situations that are beyond their ability.
Why?
Because impossible circumstances reveal God's sufficiency.
God often calls us into places where failure is certain if He does not show up.
That's not poor planning. That's faith.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Many believers are living beneath the calling God has placed on their lives because of the stories they tell themselves.
"I'm not qualified."
"I'm too old."
"I'm too young."
"I don't know enough."
"I've made too many mistakes."
But God has never been limited by a person's lack of qualifications.
In fact, He often chooses unlikely people so that His power becomes unmistakable.
As Paul wrote:
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The very weakness you think disqualifies you may be the place where God chooses to display His strength.
A Better Response
Instead of saying, "I can do this," the Christian response is often:
"God can."
"God will provide."
"God is faithful."
"God is sufficient."
When God calls us to obedience, the question is not whether we feel capable.
The question is whether He is trustworthy.
Faith does not deny our limitations. Faith acknowledges them and then looks beyond them to the God who has none.
The Challenge
Think about an area of your life where you've been saying, "I can't."
Maybe it's sharing the gospel with a friend.
Maybe it's serving in ministry.
Maybe it's reconciling a relationship.
Maybe it's stepping into a calling God has been placing on your heart.
Now ask a different question:
What if the issue isn't whether you can?
What if the issue is whether God can?
Because those who say they can and those who say they can't are both usually right. But the Christian discovers a third option:
"I can't—but God can."
And throughout history, that has been more than enough.