When My Thoughts Say “I Can’t” but God Says “I Can”

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

Lately — and if I’m honest, for years now, I’ve been facing an inner battle that’s hard to explain. It isn’t the kind that comes from one difficult day. It isn’t just stress, and it isn’t just from being busy.  It’s the kind that makes me feel like I’m quietly coming undone on the inside.

The kind where my thoughts whisper: You’re losing it. You can’t keep up anymore. You’re too old to start over. You should be stronger than this by now. And no matter how hard I try to reason with those thoughts, they come back. Louder. Heavier. More convincing.

They don’t just weigh on my mind — they weaken my heart.

I’ve questioned myself. My pace. My ability. My future. It can seem like everyone else is managing life better than I am, whereas I’m just trying to stay steady.

This is where God steps in and lovingly reminds me, this isn’t just an emotional battle — it’s a spiritual battle. Why?

Because the voice of self-condemnation always pushes toward defeat. But the voice of God’s Spirit does the opposite. Right in the middle of spiraling thoughts, I’ve sensed a different whisper. Not loud. Not forceful. But steady. “But you can.”

“In My strength, you can.”

My thoughts say: “You’re done.”

God says: “I’m not.”

My thoughts say: “You don’t have what it takes.”

God says: “You never did — but I do.”

Sometimes the battle is simply about which voice we agree with.

Fear tries to convince us our best days are behind us. That we should shrink back. That we can’t begin again.  But God often does His deepest work in seasons where we feel the most fragile; not because we’re strong, but because we’re finally leaning on Him. And that whisper,

“In My strength, you can” — is not denial. It’s an invitation.

An invitation to stop fighting alone. To stop believing every thought that passes through your mind. To let God’s strength be enough for today. If your heart feels tired and your thoughts feel heavy, you are not weak. You are in a battle. But you are not in it alone.

Reflection for Today

What is one thought that has been telling you “You can’t” …?

What would it look like to place that thought into God’s hands instead?

A Gentle Prayer

Father, You see the thoughts that weigh on my mind and the fears that whisper I can’t keep going. Help me recognize Your voice above the noise. When I feel weak, remind me that Your strength is enough. Quiet the lies that try to take root in my heart and help me walk forward today trusting You to carry what I cannot.

In Christ alone.

Amen.