“You are enough.” It’s a statement you’ve likely seen all over social media and in self-development books. It may even be something you tell yourself regularly. I know it’s one of my own go-to affirmations. While it may feel reassuring to know that whoever we are and whatever we’re doing is enough, it doesn’t quite line up with Christian belief.
I first encountered this idea of not being enough while listening to the podcast Made For This with Jennie Allen (“NTP Ep. 7 - The Myth of Measuring Up”). I was immediately intrigued and took some time to explore my own thoughts and feelings about this.
So let’s jump into how being enough is not enough, and why that’s okay.
You Are Enough
If you are living your life, either in your purpose or with the intent of finding and then living in your purpose, you are enough. If you help others when you can, you are enough. When things get difficult (and let’s be honest, simply keeping up with the world is pretty difficult these days), but you still get up and try, you are enough. If you choose to be you and not a knock-off version of someone else, you are enough.
You are enough without being all the things. You are enough when you simply show up until you can get right within yourself to do more. You are enough when you work on being the best version of yourself until you know better. And then you do better.
God has already given you everything you need to accomplish all He has planned for you. Your talents, abilities, personality, and heart were all divinely designed for you. He is putting you in the right situations and placing the right people in your life.
Trust what is in your heart, and if you’re feeling a little lost, pray about it. Ask for God’s guidance and input in all that you do. We all make mistakes, encounter hardships, and experience failures.
After all, none of us are perfect. And that’s kind of the point here.
It’s Not Enough
Yes, all that you are doing is enough. God knows who you are, where you are, and where you’re going. As we’re told in Psalms 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (NIV)
How incredible is that?! He knew exactly who you would be, what you would face, and how you would react before you ever came to be. Nothing surprises Him. And through it all, He wants to be there with you.
Because with all that has been planned for you, with all that you will accomplish in this life, you are not meant to do it alone.
Evil lurks around every corner. It’s not just in tempting situations or people who wish to tear us down. It’s in our thoughts, our doubts, the excuses we give, and the lies we believe about ourselves.
Trials and hardships will come when least expected and in the most impossible ways. There will come a time in your life, if it hasn’t already, when you feel like there’s no way forward.
And this is why we need God. Our perfect, unchanging, loving, merciful God. He has the grace to forgive your sins and missteps. He has the strength to lift you out of your darkest moments. He will fight the fights you no longer can or aren’t even aware of.
You don’t have to do all the things because He can. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. He is the alpha and the omega. You were created to walk this life with Him. When you can’t, He can. If it is for His good, pleasing, and perfect will, He will make a way.
It’s Okay
If you are living your God-given life to the best of your ability, yes, you are enough. You are all that you are meant to be. But no matter how many things you do right, it will never be enough. Because you can’t do it alone.
Release control. Leave room for God to act in your life. Give Him space to forgive, offer grace, save, and make miracles happen. Allow Him to use you to share His love and be an example of His greatness to the world.
So give yourself a break. You are who you’re meant to be and doing what you’re meant to do. There are trials, hardships, and problems that are bigger than you. And that’s okay. God is enough for every situation. Let Him be enough for you.
Comments