Why Does It Feel Like I’m Never Enough?
Do you ever feel like a nine year old at an amusement park? You want to ride with the big kids on the “Big” rides but you just don’t measure up.
Not tall enough.
I think everyone of us struggles with …. Not enough.
Not smart enough.
Not enough courage to say no to a demanding family member.
Not enough confidence to take a risk and trust God.
Not pretty or sexy enough for our spouse.
Not witty enough.
Not strong enough.
Not happy enough.
Not enough.
You know where I think that we feel the most insecurity in our “not enough?” I think right in our very own church family.
I have to tell you that some of the harshest criticism I received from my writing online hasn’t come from my unbelieving souse or another atheist debating my beliefs. No, some of the most painful and soul wrenching criticisms come from those who I hold in high esteem and who are Christian. Sometimes it’s believers who contribute most to our self-doubt.
That’s why it’s difficult to be truly authentic when writing or teaching in any area of effective service to the Kingdom. To bring real and lasting healing requires you to “get real” about issues and living life.
It’s a risk.
But, I have discovered a few of God’s promises which brought me freedom to teach with authenticity. And it’s authenticity that is what our Lord desires from our lives. It’s authentic living that compels others to see Jesus.
First.
“Not enough” is a lie from the pit of hell.
If you are a child of the Most High, you are enough. In fact, you are more than enough. And the more brokenness you have overcome through the power and love of Jesus, the more powerful and effective witness you are to the world.
Satan wants to keep you believing the lie that your past secrets and failures will keep you from serving the Lord. So right now say out loud, “I reject the lie of the enemy. I am more than enough.”
Second.
Your past is exactly what God will use to perfect your future. In fact, God brings about your healing and then in the most stunning of events, He will display you to the world as His trophy. You are that valued and that important to Him. He delights in your life surrendered to Him and it speaks louder than words to a broken and lost world.
Third.
You may not be enough “in the eyes of the world.” So pay the world no mind because in the eyes of God you are complete. Nothing is more beautiful or priceless to our Creator.
“Hear me now.”
“I am the Lord your God. I have chosen you from millions of people living on this earth. I adore you. I have fantastic plans for you. I will raise you to be my trophy that the world will know that there is a God of the universe and that I love my people of authenticity.
“You will always be enough for Me.”
Be blessed, Lynn
Please join me today at Winninghimwithoutwords.com and enter the drawing for the marriage basket, a $300 value.
Excellent post! And so spot on! And as a writer, I have felt the same thing, as my harshest criticisms come from “within” the church and not outside of it. Often, it simply comes from immature faith and encourages me all the more to “stimulate” this particular group to maturity.
But this is an area that God has really been dealing with me in, as I have always tended to be one who seeks approval in others in order to validate what I do. God is teaching me otherwise and slowly I am sensing a pulling away from that emotional need. Encouragement however, by our brothers and sisters is always good and Paul encouraged it often, but we need to learn that our ultimate validation is in Christ alone.
AMEN and AMEN Lynn! Being in the ministry fulltime, I can testify to what you are saying. I learned a long time ago, that I have to be who I am in Christ and that not everybody will love me, or agree with me. But when I do things in the power of Jesus, in the end His approval is enough for me. Great post!
Dear Lynn, How I relate to this-mostly with my beloved but in so many other ways as well. You and Dineen are both writing incredible words of encouragement today-the heart of the Father is being poured out on us through you.
Love you girl.
Lynn,
What a great inspirational post! We are enough indeed! More than enough with Christ beside us and for us and in us! As a new author and blogger of a Christian book for women, I know firsthand how the enemy will use anything and everything to try to affect your self-esteem. I still find myself wondering how God could use me to minister to other women when I don’t always “live up to their expectations”. But that’s why God empowers us with His Spirit – to do the impossible. What a shame that much of our attack comes from our own church family – even if it is in subtle comments or indifference to our struggles. I do believe God will surround you with a precious few Godly friends who share your vision and become armor bearers in our quest to serve God with your gifts, but many times we are met with envy and skepticism. Nonetheless, we are to continue in our mandate from the Lord to love Him and tell them using our tools of grace and mercy, emulating Jesus while we bring Him glory.
Lynn, beautiful post full of Truth. Thank for this wonderful reminder that I am enough. And I just love the picture of the Lord holding me up as a trophy for the world to see. Imagine that! 🙂
Deborah,
You have filled my up so much with your words today here at and 1P3. Love you. We can’t do this ministry alone. We need each other. I’m so glad the Lord brought us together. Your wisdom and grace encourage me and all the women. THANK YOU… Pray your day is filled with delight. Hugs. Lynn
Love you Ang. You ARE HIS trophy. I pray you see it. You really are. I’m holding you up… Love you. Lynn
Thanks Shari, Girl, sending you a hug. Have a wonderful day. Love you my friend. Lynn
Noreen, My sweet prayer partner. Couldn’t have found victory on this journey without you. I love you my friend. Have a beautiful day. Love you with a full heart. Lynn
Laurie,
My friend… Hugging you. And See you on Thursday. Have a blessed and beautiful day. Love, Lynn
Girl, I think God is speaking LOUDLY to us all right now. So amazing! What I wrote today touched on this a bit and look what I read/tweeted earlier today:
“Your failures are designed to direct you to God, not doom you to repetition” – Scott Hamilton
Awesome post!!! You inspire me! Love you!
Neen, We are on the same page. So like our Lord. Love you…
This is my first visit. Tried to get onto this page a few weeks ago but couldn’t. Feeling discouraged in my marriage and my ministry I thought I would try again. Whamo! What do I read. 3P1 and I’m enough. There is NO God like our God 🙂
Lynn, thank you for speaking these words right into my heart today. I know in Him I am enough–just need a reminder some days! Thanks Dineen for directing me to this post. To both of you ladies-your website, your words of encouragement and your prayers are a blessing in my life.
Beverly
It is all about grace, isn’t it? Funny thing that it was my spam-word for today.
You are right; we most often get criticized by our own. And yes! We are good enough, because He came to save us.
Thank you for the words of encouragement.
I too suffered from the “No Enough Syndrome” for many years. Every time that thought comes back I am reminded to rebuke Satan and the lie he tries to get me to believe.
Blessings dear friend.
Michele,
Amen my sister. Amen. Hugging you today. Lynn
Amen Iris… I’m always tickled by the spam words they often fall right in line. Hugging you. Lynn
Beverly,
I’m so excited to see the Lord has heard your prayers and you are finding the hope we have in a new a rich way. Hugging you this day. Love, Lynn
Jodie,
Girl, God must have been determined to encourage you. I just said a prayer that you see your life in a new a powerful way this very day. All praises to our Lord. Hugging you. Lynn
Your past is exactly what God will use to perfect your future—-I like that! That’s so easy to forget and we may wish things didn’t happen at times. But God uses those things for His purpose.
Have a blessed day, enjoyed the interview at Grace Cafe!
Lynn,
Thank you for this! I am new to your web site, but have been visiting almost every day for several weeks now. God is trying to get it through my thick head that I am His child, made in His image. I am trying desperately to place no importance on what this world thinks of me, but to live for Our Awesome Creator. It’s a daily struggle. So I thank you for posting this, as it is exactly what I needed to hear. Just like God to do that! 🙂 Thank you! God bless you for what you do for women!
Hi Angela,
I’m so glad your joined in the conversation. Oh my friend. The Lord hears your prayers. He is desperate for you to fall into His arms of safety and love. Press in. He has so very much for you. More than you can imagine or even dream. Awesome stuff.
Love on Him and watch all the God does. So glad you joined our community. Hugging you, Lynn
http://www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com
Love you Bethany. Thanks for listening in. Hugging you. Lynn
Lynn, I am new to your website and first time blogger. I, too, still struggle with being enough. I am my worst enemy. Forever starting in ministries and falling for Satan’s lies -and leaving ministries once again. I rarely ever finish what I start. Good intentions-poor follow through. Thank you for sharing how God can use my past for good.I was looking for a place to share with others whom have gone through similar struggles. May God bless you!