Has anyone ever tried making you feel like you are not enough or good enough? How did it make you feel? Have you ever felt that you are not enough or good enough either? Why did you feel that way? Well, no matter how you feel, or what others might think about you, you are valuable. You are enough. You are good enough. You matter. It is easy to go through life feeling and thinking that you are lacking in some area in your life, and that is alright, but you were born complete – fully whole.
When God formed you, He placed everything that was needed inside of you. He laid out the plan for your life. He gave you the right parents, the right personality, the right talents or gifts and abilities, and the right background to fulfil your mission and purpose here on earth. God did not shortchange you. You are not at a deficit. You are good enough. You are talented enough, and you are attractive enough! God said that you have been fearfully and wonderfully made. So never feel or think that you are not enough or not good enough. Do not ever consider yourself limited by how you feel or think.
There is nothing missing inside you, my friend. There is no one like you. Nobody can do you like you can. You are unique. You are one of a kind. No one is better than you. With God you are enough! It is He who created you! He knows you! He loves you! He can accomplish great things through you!
Quit comparing yourself with others. Quit envying and coveting someone else’s looks, gifts, and their successes. You are powerful, you are gifted, and you are amazing. Stir up the gifts within you and let your gifts make room for you.
Do not listen to those negative voices in your head that say, “You are not enough or not good enough, that you are not strong enough, intelligent enough, you are not capable, and you are not beautiful or handsome enough. Those are lies from the evil one. Those lies will make you feel inferior to the person God created you to be. Those lies will keep you from accomplishing all that God has planned for you.
Rise up my brother! Rise up my sister! With God all things are possible! God loves you! He can accomplish great things through you! It does not matter if you are single, if you are married, if you are rich, poor, old, young, educated or uneducated. God has a plan for your life. God has a plan for each and every one of us. God loves you and wants you just as you are! You are enough because you were made in His image and carry His likeness in you. Apart from Him we can do nothing.
There were many people in the Bible, just like you, who also felt that they were not good enough. Some struggled with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy – thinking that they were not good enough for God to use them. They felt weak, ill-qualified and unworthy. Moses felt inadequate and insecure.
He argued with God, and asked, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” “What if they do not believe me or listen to me?” “I have never been eloquent…I am slow of speech and tongue.” Moses ended with a plea: “Please send someone else.” Moses failed to believe that he was enough for the task God assigned to him. However, in the end, the Moses, who felt totally inadequate, eventually led his people to freedom doing miracles along the way. This biblical account demonstrates how God’s calling in our lives does not depend on our abilities but on our obedience. God equips the one who obeys Him. God has already placed within us what we need to carry out His mission and His purpose for our lives.
Gideon was another person who felt that he was not good enough. When the Israelites were suffering under the oppression of the Midianites, God sent an angel to Gideon who told him, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand.” Gideon replied, “’How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Gideon felt too weak for this task. Twice he asked God to give him a sign proving His power and He graciously answered. Gideon then obeyed and delivered his people. While initially fearful, Gideon became a mighty warrior who rescued God’s people. This account reminds us that God understands our doubts and fears. He uses our weaknesses to lead us to depend on Him and then, through our weaknesses, we experience His strength.
Another person who felt he was not good enough was the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah felt inadequate to be a prophet. I repeat. Jeremiah felt inadequate to be a prophet. God said to him, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah answered, “Alas, Sovereign LORD…I do not know how to speak; I am too young” Jeremiah believed in God but doubted He could use him. The Lord encouraged him saying, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’” God touched Jeremiah’s mouth and told him He would give him whatever words he needed. He told him, “You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.”
Jeremiah who doubted his abilities, served as one of God’s greatest prophets. His story teaches us though we may fear failure, when we move forward in faith, God works through us to fulfill His purpose.
Are you not convinced now my friend that you are enough, that you are good enough – and that with God you can do whatever He has ordained you to become? That is the kind of God we serve. A God of more than enough. So do not allow anyone to put you down or make you feel inferior or inadequate. Do not seek your approval from others, or you will never step into your destiny. Place your confidence and trust in God and God only. Each of these Bible characters learned an important lesson:
We are all inadequate by ourselves, but God welcomes us and loves us exactly as we are. When we are weak, He reveals His strength through us.
Our limitations do not limit God. In Him, we are complete. He says to us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” What a wonderful God we serve! Should we not serve Him? So, when we feel not good enough, we need to read God’s Word and read about characters who felt that way and see all they have accomplished for Him and through Him. Those people are just like you and just like me.
Remember: Focus on what you can do, instead of what you cannot do. Once you discover who you are, and what your true life purpose is, you will no longer have the feeling of not being good enough. The root cause of this feeling is a lack of self-awareness. So spend time with yourself, get to know yourself and understand yourself. You are God’s masterpiece.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 3. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre.
