You Need to Know This When You are Not Enough

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A woman praying with her Bible asking God to be greater than her "not enough." #Bible #Faith

I’m guessing you’re like me and that you share my struggle.

You have the voice in your head that remembers and repeats every hurt-filled accusation.

And a mirror that faithfully points out every little imperfection.

You know the whispers of lost friendships that want you to believe you’re just not worth it.

And you count every share and comment while you wonder if your story matters.

You live too many days with physical or emotional pain that reminds you of your weaknesses.

And somehow you start to listen and believe the message that you’re not enough. You’re “less than.”

So, we try to build each other up through blog posts and articles. We type our fingers raw trying to convince ourselves and each other that the message that haunts and nags just isn’t true.

But if you’re like me, it seems no matter how hard I fight them … my “not enough” thoughts persist.

And I’ve recently come to the conclusion that:

It’s true! I am not enough. I am less than.

This is not meant to discourage you nor is it a true confession about giving in to self-loathing.

The reason for this post is to tell you that although I do have an ongoing struggle with the way I view myself, by God’s grace I am confident there is a  greater truth that gives me victory when those two sentences (I am not enough. I am less than.) try to defeat me.

And the greater truth is this…

God is All You Need When You are Not Enough

God is greater than my "not enough" and He's greater than yours too!  #BlessingBloggers #Faith

God is greater than my “not enough” and He’s greater than yours too! 

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

I love this verse.

Although feelings matter, let’s look past them for a moment … let’s look beyond the the things trying to defeat and discourage us to God, who is greater. He is our enough!

3 Truths from 1 John 4:4 that will Defeat Discouragement

1. You belong to God.  

Through faith in Jesus, you are God’s child. You are chosen, adopted, and loved. You belong to Him.

Say it out loud until you really believe it … because of Jesus, I belong to God.

On our own, you and I are not enough but God is always and forever more than enough. He is forever and always greater than any circumstances, all imperfections, every weakness, and each bit of brokenness without exception.

Through His Holy Spirit, God is with you and in you. He has marked you as His own. You are loved and you belong to God!

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

2. You have victory in Jesus.

However you and I feel, in Christ Jesus, we can have victory. Victory over our accusers, our former friends, discouragement, the mirror, the weaknesses of our bodies, and yes, even the voices in our heads.

Jesus has won the victory over sin, death, and the power of Satan. He defeated them all on the cross. We are not defeated because of the One who won the victory for us and given us all we need to live with victory over anything that tries to discourage us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35,37

3. You have the Spirit within you.

The Holy Spirit to whom you belong, who loves you and gives you victory, lives within you.

And because we are His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6

And the good news is the Spirit living within us fills us with all we need to defeat every message that works to discourage us. I love that He whispers victory giving truth when we need it most.

And He is more than able to give us everything we need.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22–23a

My goal, going forward, is to turn to the Lord in prayer each time I’m discouraged by the feeling that I’m “not enough.”

Trusting that the Spirit will remind me that:

  • I am loved. You and I are lovable. God says so! And we have everything we need to love others … even those who don’t love us. We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
  • This difficult season will end. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
  • I have all I need for today, tomorrow, and forever. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

We’re going to have our “not enough” thoughts and feelings. They’re a given and a favorite of the “spirit of the world.”

A woman praying with her Bible asking God to be greater than her "not enough." #Bible #Faith

But you and I have all we need to be victorious over them. 

We can replace them with the truth … God’s truth!

And the way to know God’s truth is by asking ourselves a couple of questions:

1. Do I feel like I’m not enough because of sin in my life?

If the answer is “yes” — you and I need to quickly go to God in repentance and ask Him to forgive us.

The good news He is always faithful to forgive and cover us with His victorious love once again.

2. Do I feel like I’m not enough because I’m believing the lies of comparison?

If your answer is “yes” — join me in a commitment to stop comparing and trust God’s specific plans and purposes for my life. May you and I faithfully seek God’s will each day and follow wherever He leads.

And replace the lies with God’s truth by…

Memorizing God’s promises, like:

I am with you always Matthew 28:20

I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. John 15:9 (AMP)

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8

And repeat them every time you need to remember … although you are “not enough” on your own, the One who is with you and within you is more than enough.

He always has been and He always will be!

The greater truth — God is able to give you victory over your “not enough.”

What is your go-to promise when you need to remember that God is more than enough to defeat your feelings of discouragement?

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13 Comments

  1. Oh yes, Deb, I’m trying to do the same as you–remember to turn to the Lord whenever I feel discouraged or frustrated. I can know that those are indicators that I’ve taken my eyes off of Christ and all that He abundantly extends to me. Thanks for the reminders that it is only in Christ that we have what we need!

    1. I know, Beth! I don’t even need to give myself a good pep-talk! You and I know the One who is creating newness where we’re lacking. I just want to keep seeking His truth and trusting His perfect love. Thanks so very much, you bless me!!

  2. I think we need to accept the idea that we can never be enough, but trust that God will complete us so that we can stand tall and strong for Him in this fallen world. Thanks, Deb, for these encouraging words and for the Scriptures that bring such comfort and inspiration. Blessings!

    1. Thanks, Martha! I read so many posts and articles that say we’re enough, worthy, etc. I needed to write something for myself that reminds me that I’m not enough and that’s okay because God covers my not enough with His perfection. He is enough and through Jesus, the Father already sees me as who He is making me into. What an absolutely awesome thought! Thank you for your faithful encouragement. You truly are a blessing to me!

  3. Just what I needed today! Thank you so much!

    1. Thank you, Connie! I’m so very glad it blessed you! You made my day by taking the time to let me know! God bless you!

  4. Yes, it is so true I am not enough. Now if only I could quit trying to prove I am enough and rely 100% on God. I love the three truths you shared. Hope your week is starting out good. Blessings, Maree

  5. Deb, great reminder and truths here. Truths we need to remind ourselves of daily. I am not enough without God. His truth sets us free. And it is his truths I need to focus on, not my truths which lead me to rely on myself.

  6. Amen and Amen! Praise God that HE IS MORE than enough, and through Him we are MORE than conquerors! Thank you for encouraging us today with the powerful truth that we don’t have to have it “all together”–I am so thankful that I am hidden in Christ, and even when I fall short, our God is bigger than my “not enough!”

  7. Judy Lewis says:

    I needed this today thanks I have seen all of what you are talking about pure God’s love and always being there for all of us no matter what the circumstances and situations that we all get caught up in a lot of the time thanks for this all of this I love all this all so true and more

  8. Those verses from the end of Romans 8 never fail to amaze me and fill me with joy when I read them again! Thanks for sharing them.
    And you’re right that we are not enough on our own to be and do all that God wants us to be and do. We absolutely must be empowered from on High. I’m so glad that He never leaves me nor forsakes me. I learned that years ago from Hebrews 13; I see that this passage in Deuteronomy promises additionally that He will personally go ahead of me (us). Somehow that gives me added comfort and peace. I just read today that this is what the Good Shepherd does; He leads the sheep as opposed to driving them.
    The Lord bless you; thanks so much for all the linkups and opportunities for community! <3 🙂

    1. I’m with you, Ruth! I love Romans 8 … it’s a condensed and powerful source of the truth of God’s grace and mercy. And oh, how I need His grace and mercy. I love that also – He leads us gently. Our church growing up was called Our Shepherd. I went to school there too. I loved learning about all that meant to my faith walk with Him. Blessings to you!!

  9. You are so right, Deb! Alone we are not enough! But, with God, we are! He is the strength we need! I have felt so weak and helpless, unable to change the circumstances that we find ourselves in. But, remembering that God fights for those to look to Him helps me to face each day with courage! The battle is the Lords!