Hello friend, I believe God has called me to “Build up, build up, prepare the way, Remove every obstacle out of the way of My people.” (Isaiah 57:14 NAS)
Today, I want to shine a light on an obstacle that I have personally experienced and witnessed in many others. The thought of not being enough can be widely used as a stumbling block in our lives. I find that many people are bullied with the world’s way of thinking, which can affect the way we live daily.
One example I remember is a friend sharing that when she returns from work, and if she spends more time with her kids and she sees dishes in the sink, she immediately feels, I am not able to keep my house clean enough. If she keeps the house super-clean, she feels guilty thinking, I am not a good enough mom.
This type of thinking will always keep us feeling condemned. Yes, there is a balance, and my friend does a great job. Anyone who knows her knows she excels in all those areas. Still, this negative mindset is like a weed that tries to choke out the life from the good that she does accomplish.
Does this sound familiar?
Consider the following LIES that you may have accepted as true.
We may feel like . . . I am not enough, good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, wealthy enough, liked enough, loved enough, worthy enough, kind enough, or thin enough.
We get into the habit of thinking, I am not a good enough . . . spouse, parent, friend, child, Christian, neighbor, leader, worker, or student. Isn’t that true?
We can apply the “not enough” to our home. It is not clean enough, big enough, or nice enough. Striving to fulfill all the “enoughs” in our lives will restrain and drain us from all that God has for us. These lies leave us feeling empty and without God’s peace.
When we say we are not enough, what are we comparing ourselves to?
What standard are we holding for ourselves? Is it a standard of perfection?
Do you find yourself striving to be perfect instead of just doing your best in the areas that God has called you to?
When we set too high a standard for ourselves, and we don’t measure up:
It causes us to feel unloved or not valued.
We go through the motions of life numb.
We are not fully enjoying our lives because every time we turn around, we are reminded of an area where we are not “enough.”
Do any of these points resonate with you?
Friend, I am not sure if any of this rings true for you. I want to pose a few thought-provoking questions to consider:
Did this cause you to think of areas of your life where you feel as if you are not enough? If so, in which areas?
Have you bought into the standard that you need to do it all and do it all perfectly?
Do you feel the need to be perfect, perfectly liked, or perfectly perceived? If so, how has this affected your life?
I suggest writing down your answers to some of these questions. I would love it if you replied to this email and shared some of your answers with me.
Keep your mind on the truth that God is able to do above and beyond all we ask.
Ephesians 3:20 (NAS)
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.
THEN look for my next blog, I will share my ANSWERS to:
What I Do When I Feel Like I Am Not Able or Not Enough.
Love you friend! Praying for you,
Dawn
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