Being Enough: The ‘How To’ and Relieving Truth

I have been guilty of saying this motivational phrase before...

"You are enough."

In a world of comparison, social media, and constant interaction, it is so easy to look at others and feel less than...isn’t it? To look at those pictures and updates and feel like we don't measure up. To feel as if we aren't doing enough and what we are doing...well, probably messing that up, too. 

But then someone comes along and tells us that we are enough. We aren't less than. No one is superior. All the praise hands! Big sigh of relief. Right?

When we're comparing ourselves to someone else, ok...maybe we are enough. There’s an idea that I discussed often when I was still running my health consulting business that I think is a great reminder and it’s this: Just because she is, doesn’t mean you aren’t.  

Whatever adjective describes the person you're comparing yourself to...it doesn't mean you are not that adjective. Pretty. Smart. Successful. Whatever... Just because she is that [insert adjective] doesn’t take away from what gifts and qualities you were given.

But we cannot compare to another human. Lfe situations, experiences, phases,different personalities, abilities, gifts…they’re all different. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. 

As a mom, a wife, a Christian, and just a woman,it's so very easy to get caught up in comparison, probably more so surrounding motherhood than in anything else in my experience.

But here's the truth:we are not enough. You're not enough. I'm not enough. The end.

On our own, for our own worldly agenda, nothing that we do matters. As we are, completely on our own, we are not enough and that's because sin entered this world. We are flawed, prideful, sinful humans.

But through Christ, and only through Him, can we become more. Our actions can have worth for eternity. Our agendas can have a weight that far surpasses anything we could accomplish on our own.

It’s not that we shouldn’t be loved. It’s that we are loved despite our constant rebellion. And not by our own doing or striving.

It’s not that we can’t ever be enough. It’s that only by His grace, His love, His mercy, and His sacrifice that made the way for us to be whole again... that is the only way we could have been enough. He is the only way we can be enough.  

On our own, without Him, we are not enough…no matter how many times we wash our face or choose to not say sorry. No matter how much striving and hustling and cleaning and schooling we do. No matter your age or life stage or relationship status or job title. No matter how many books we read, followers we have, or kids we birth. No matter how closely our house looks to Joanna Gaines’ or our bodies to the swimsuit models.

All of that fades and is worthless.It’s a rabbit hole of nothingness that will leave us feeling empty and constantly working for more. 

If we are accepting this idea that we are enough, even if we don’t realize it, then we're saying, "Nope...I'm good. I might not be as good as she is but I'm okay as I am and I’m going to bask in myself."

We're saying we don't need anything or anyone else because we are enough. We’re deciding it’s okay to stop worshipping others and start worshipping ourselves.

But, can we hear it again? We are not enough. We are in desperate need of help. Desperate for saving, for grace! We are desperate for a Messiah, Jesus Christ. 

And contrary to what the world tells us, it’s okay to be in need of someone else.

Through that need comes the realization that we can’t do it on our own, but also the peace that it's okay...because through Him and His sacrifice we can become more than conquerors.

And in that realization, there's beauty. Beauty in the redemption, in the grace, in our lacking. When we are weak, He is strong. When we are not, He is. When we cannot, He can.

In a world where we're constantly striving to be more, be better, be enough...where we're fighting for our "right," this idea seems ridiculous. It seems ridiculous to be more than okay with our weakness, or to be kind when faced with unkindness, or to give grace and love in the face of anger and hurt and rejection. Right?

Can I tell you what else was ridiculous? It was also ridiculous for Jesus Christ to pay a penalty He didn’t need to. But He did it because we never could. It was ridiculous for Him to die a death that we should have.

But then, praise His holy name, Christ Jesus defeated death and came back to life so that we might have life forever. No fear in death. No worry of striving for “our piece of the pie” here on earth. No frustration because we aren’t measuring up to the world. No living in fear and constant hopelessness wondering, “what’s the point?”

Because this world is not our home. We are strangers here just passing through. When we accept we’re not enough and take Christ as are savior, we become citizens of heaven, not of earth. And we don’t just get a “piece of the pie,” we get the whole beautiful pie even though we’ve deserved not even a crumb.

So setting our sights on being "enough" in this world, compared to some other flawed human being...it's such a waste, isn't it? It's so empty.

Our eternity starts once Jesus saves our aching souls. We get to begin our eternity right here on earth and then live joyfully because death has no hold on us. Our bodies will fade but our souls never will. We get to live through all the hardships knowing that in the end, Christ already won. That setback isn’t the end. There is no fear through Christ because He was and is victorious.

However, friend, you must know that eternity is dependent upon where we place our loyalty, worship, and worth. And if we're "enough" on earth and we find our worth here, then our eternity is going to be very bleak. Our peace will be lacking. Our hope will be absent.

But if you accept King Jesus and allow Him to be strong where you are weak, accept that He paid the price you never could, eternity will be full of joy, life, love, peace.

The truth is, I’m not enough myself. I'm not strong enough. I'm not kind enough. I'm not loving enough. I'm not forgiving enough. I'm not humble enough. I'm not patient enough. I am not enough. And that is okay only because my worth is found in the One who created me and loves me with an everlasting love—even when/though I fail every day.

It's okay that I'm not enough because the Lord is more than enough and His grace and mercies are new every day. 

So let's compare ourselves to Him...and then rest in His love, strength, and grace. 

We love people who are “real” but what’s more beautiful and fulfilling than relating to someone else? It is knowing we are not enough in Him and then embracing the beauty and redemption found in His Truth.

If you have already accepted Jesus and His free gift, friend, blow off all those messages that are trying to hinder you and keep you striving. They’re sneaky and make it seem like they’re giving you a “pass”, but it’s just another chain. Shake it off, run freely to Christ, and let Him carry your burdens, and be your strength. 

But if you’ve not accepted Christ and want to or just have questions, please reach out to our team. You will be met with patience and love, not with anger and judgement.