“I’m just a Sunday school teacher.”
“I’m just a kidmin leader.”
“I’m just a Wednesday night volunteer.”
Ever said that before? So have we. Here’s the truth: that statement is a lie.
It can be tempting to diminish what you do. Sometimes we think that our role isn’t important enough or we aren’t doing the best. The truth is: the way you serve, the influence you carry, the lives you faithfully shape, has greater impact than you may think. Often we can get tempted to look sideways at someone else’s role. When we do, suddenly our own role and influence feels smaller. Less valuable. Less impactful.
There’s a sneaky problem that arises when we give into that temptation: it’s comparison.
In today’s world, with unlimited access to watching everyone’s personal and professional highlight reel, the temptation to compare what someone else is doing with what we’re doing is extreme. With one sideways glance, we’ve exchanged our sense of worth and effectiveness by comparing our own unique calling and context to someone else’s unique purpose and mission. Before we know it, we’ve allowed a lie to sneak in. Our thoughts start spiraling and suddenly we’ve changed addresses from contentment to being automatically convinced we are not good enough, not doing enough, and not gifted enough.
Sound familiar?
Philippians 4:8 NLT says: “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Taking every thought captive isn’t a one-time event. It’s a spiritual discipline… and discipline takes work.
Philippians 4 reminds us that we have to take action to “fix our thoughts on what is true, what is honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.” Thinking that we are less than, that we’re not making an impact, that we don’t truly matter to the Kingdom of God does not align with how God sees you and why He made you. So first and foremost, we must think of ourselves as people of value, of purpose.
God says we are valuable. Matthew 6:26 says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” In this passage, Jesus is reminding His people that they do not need to be anxious or to worry, because God not only sees them, but sees them as valuable. He provides for the birds, why wouldn’t He provide for His children?
There are no shortage of opinions out there about whether children’s ministry “really matters.” But you already know the answer. You’ve seen the data. You’ve felt the calling deep in your bones. You’d defend the value of this work to anyone who challenged it — and rightfully so.
So why do we so easily turn around and say “I’m just a…” about ourselves? That needs to stop. Your mind, your words, and your calling deserve to be defended from the quiet schemes of the enemy who loves to show up as doubt, insecurity, and questions about whether you’re really needed or really making an impact.
Here are three steps to fight back on those “I’m just a ____” thoughts:
Step 1: Stop it.
When the thought shows up, consciously say “No.” It might feel a little silly talking to yourself, even though we know everyone does it, but speaking it out loud stops the thought from taking root! Saying “No” is also good practice for kids ministry leaders (if you know, you know)!
Step 2: Reframe it.
Name what you’re feeling but refuse to let it define you. Overwhelmed? Say: “God, I’m feeling overwhelmed right now — but that doesn’t make me inadequate.” Speak the truth alongside the feeling. This will start to retrain your brain to acknowledge the emotion or thought without losing control and letting the thought take over.
Step 3: Declare it.
Say out loud who God is and who God says you are. Recall what you know to be true about God and His character. Let your own ears hear it. Say: “God, help me to fight this thought that tells me I’m inadequate. You’ve called me to this. You’ve skilled me for this. You’ve also promised to never leave me nor forsake me. Help me today, God. Remind me that you care about the birds and you care even more about me!”
And in case you need a reminder… here’s what we know to be true about you:
You are a steady, faithful, constant presence in the life of a child. You are the smiling face parents trust at drop-off every single week. You are fulfilling the Great Commission as you teach kids about Jesus and model a real, living faith to parents who desperately need to see it.
You are not less than. You are not “just” anything. You are someone created and called with a purpose. You are the reason kids meet Jesus and love Him more every week. You are partnering with families, shaping eternities, and showing up when it matters most.
We need you. These kids need you. And we are so incredibly proud of you.
