I remember from the time I was little looking at other girls around me and constantly comparing. Why don’t I look as pretty? Why am I not built like her? Why aren’t my teeth as straight, or my hair as shiny? How can I have a more dynamic personality like her?
We’ve all done it. We all still do it.
Comparison is such a thief of joy. It continually makes us feel lesser and keeps us from enjoying what God has given to us individually.
When we look at others and compare, we suddenly feel like we’re not as good and fall short of so many things. Why does our “enough” not feel like it’s enough?
Enough Second-Guessing
As the queen (self-titled) of second-guessing myself, I will just say it’s an exhausting attribute. It’s also not God’s plan or design for us. He doesn’t want us constantly second-guessing or doubting ourselves, but instead to rest our faith in Him to give us what we need.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19
When we can fully trust in God and place our hope in Him, we no longer allow room for second-guessing. We trust God with the processes and place our lives in His very capable hands.
Just the other day, I was second-guessing pretty much everything I did and said. I allowed the enemy to not only knock me down, but keep me there. It made my skin crawl even being around people, because I was so concerned with how I was “coming off.” I felt God whispering to me to just “be.” To stop worrying about the way I was presenting myself, and just simply be who He designed me to be.
How people perceive me, and you, is up to them. We can’t make people understand us completely or keep them from judging, but we can focus on just being ourselves. Their judgement and view of us is something they need to figure out, not us. Let’s stop second-guessing ourselves and just focus on being our true selves.
Ignore the Lies
You know those voices in our heads that like to tell us we’re not good enough, capable enough, (insert anything here) enough…well, that’s actually only one voice telling us those things. That voice is Satan, and he likes to tell us any lie that we’re vulnerable enough to believe. I know firsthand how difficult it is to ignore them, but it’s imperative that we replace those lies with God’s truths.
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him.”
1 John 5:20
God has equipped us with all we need, no matter what our earthly circumstances are. We truly are enough, because He is more than enough and He’s our perfect Creator. He didn’t make a mistake on me or you, and we have to stop believing the lies that creep into our minds.
“You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.”
Psalm 31:8
Your Enough is Truly Enough
We can all agree that life here on earth is tough. There’s so much to contend with, process through and simple day to day tasks to manage. Our emotions can be overwhelming at times, and we all struggle in different seasons. Yes, all of us.
There aren’t always specific events or people that cause us to doubt ourselves and feel underwhelming. Sometimes the enemy uses the simplest, least noticeable things to make us devalue ourselves. We must remember, however, that this is never from God or what He wants for us.
He created us in His perfect image, and we must strive to be a true reflection of Him. Not focus on pleasing or impressing others, because we sadly never will. God made us new creations when we chose to follow Him, and He desires for us to live in accordance to His will and not the world’s.
“and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
Colossians 3:10
Remember today, and any other day you may not feel like “enough,” that God has created you to be exactly enough for Him. That’s all that really matters at the end of the day. We bear His image, and we can share that with the world. No matter how it’s received. Just shine your light brightly, be uniquely who He wired you to be, and remind yourself that your “enough” is truly enough.
~ linda
Oh, my! This is what I did and was my whole life until I came to Christ at age 45. Comparing with others, wishing I was different, punching myself because I just was not good enough…until Jesus showed me just Whose I am and then Who I am. As I age (now 73), His words and lessons through His Word keep me close and remind me that it is not about me but all about Him. Yes…as you say, shining His light into this very dark world. Thanks for your words…just for me today!
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
groundsandgrace.com
Hey Linda! Thanks so much for your comment and for reading my post! Means a lot. I love that you can look back at how God has molded and shaped you over the years. Even as followers, it’s hard to remember that we are enough and we’re made in Him. Thankful we do have His Word to turn to and refresh our minds with His truths. 🙂