When You Feel Like You’re Not Enough

by Lois Flowers

Molly floral decoratingEnough.

It’s a popular word these days, isn’t it? I think I understand why, but something about the whole idea also confuses me.

When we feel like we are not enough, what does that mean, exactly?

What’s enough? Is there ever enough? Enough for what?

Who or what are we measuring ourselves against in this conversation? Other women? Men? Friends or family members? People who are richer, prettier, skinnier? Better mothers, wives, leaders, teachers?

Maybe I’m over analyzing this, but it’s beginning to make my stomach hurt.

And I’m starting to think that maybe enough should not be the lens through which we look at ourselves and our lives.

It seems like enough always comes from a framework of comparison, a lack of understanding of how God views us and how much He loves us.

Truth is, we’re not enough. But we’re not less than either.

By ourselves, we’re nothing, actually.

This belief doesn’t come from a place of insecurity or a lack of confidence; it’s solid truth.

“All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:3)

In Him we live and move and exist. (Acts 17:28)

Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. (John 15:5)

What I’m trying to say is simply this. Don’t look at other people and think that you are not enough.

But don’t look at yourself and think that you are enough, either.

Look at Jesus and know that He is enough.

Lois

Leave a Comment

28 comments

Julie September 10, 2016 - 10:26 am

Lois- God will always be enough, no matter what happens! Beautiful truth to park ourselves on!
Great post!
Julie

Reply
Lois Flowers September 11, 2016 - 12:17 pm

Thanks, Julie. I hope you have a wonderful week, my friend!

Reply
Ronja September 9, 2016 - 11:57 am

What a great, encouraging message, Lois! So often I find myself feeling like I am not enough, comparing myself to whoever. But you are so right, only Jesus is enough and I need to set my eyes on Him to see that in Him, I am enough because He makes me able. Thank you for sharing this!

Reply
Lois Flowers September 11, 2016 - 12:13 pm

“I am enough because He makes me able.” I like that, Ronja. What a relief to know that our “enoughness” isn’t up to us to conjure up. Thanks for stopping by this week!

Reply
Brenda September 9, 2016 - 10:19 am

Love! Great post, Lois. Praise Jesus, He’s always been enough. ((hug))

Reply
Lois Flowers September 11, 2016 - 12:11 pm

Yes, and He always will be! Thanks for your sweet words today!

Reply
Stacey Thureen September 8, 2016 - 9:33 am

A beautiful truth and reminder! Thank you Lois! Blessings to you!

Reply
Lois Flowers September 11, 2016 - 11:25 am

Same to you, Stacey! So glad you stopped by this week. 🙂

Reply
Michele Morin September 8, 2016 - 8:18 am

So wise, Lois. I can always tell when I’m too Me-focused, because I begin to over-analyze things and start wondering how I’m perceived by others. Better to spend my time wondering if I’m pleasing God and living up to HIS plans for my life.

Reply
Lois Flowers September 11, 2016 - 11:24 am

I fall into that “me trap” too, Michele. And you’re so right about what to do instead!

Reply
Sarah Donegan September 7, 2016 - 3:25 pm

Simple yet powerful truth. I am not enough nor am I not not enough. I am the way God made me and HE is enough!

Reply
Lois Flowers September 11, 2016 - 11:23 am

Amen, Sarah! Have a great week. 🙂

Reply
Lesley September 7, 2016 - 2:00 pm

This is so true and I needed this reminder today that we shouldn’t be comparing ourselves to others wondering if we are enough but looking to Jesus and knowing that he is enough.

Reply
Lois Flowers September 11, 2016 - 11:22 am

Hi Lesley … I’m so glad you found this little reminder helpful this week! 🙂

Reply
Valerie Sisco September 7, 2016 - 9:08 am

Hi Lois,
You’re right that there is much talk about being enough! And so many of us do fight feelings of being less than in some area of our lives, but since I don’t think we can ever completely eliminate them, trusting that God is enough for us lifts our hearts in hope. The comparison game never satisfies, does it? I’ll be thinking about these words today . . .

Reply
Lois Flowers September 7, 2016 - 1:15 pm

You’re right about the comparison game, Valerie. The opportunities to play it are everywhere, and they sometimes pop up when I’m least expecting them! Reading your words made me think of those greater than/less than math problems we used to do in grade school … I’m so thankful God doesn’t see us as compare/contrast problems or numbers or anything else but the wonderful individuals He designed each of us to be. I hope you have a wonderful day, my friend!

Reply
Debby September 7, 2016 - 6:28 am

Thank you for putting proper perspective to this. It’s so needed today.

Reply
Lois Flowers September 7, 2016 - 1:09 pm

You’re welcome, Debby! I need this reminder regularly myself. 🙂

Reply
Kristina September 6, 2016 - 9:42 pm

Look at Jesus he is enough! Amen! He did it all and has made me who I am. What a truth to hold onto during the hard times visiting from #tellhisstory #18

Reply
Lois Flowers September 7, 2016 - 1:08 pm

That is a powerful truth, Kristina … God is the one who has made each of who we are, and He makes no mistakes! So glad you stopped by this week. 🙂

Reply
Linda Stoll September 6, 2016 - 7:31 pm

Well, this is so well said, concise, and true true true.

May we only look to the Lover of our souls to find our true worth that comes from Him.

Thanks, Lois …

Reply
Lois Flowers September 7, 2016 - 1:07 pm

Amen, Linda. And thank YOU for your kind words today, my friend!

Reply
Trudy September 6, 2016 - 3:16 pm

I love the lens you point us to, Lois. “Look at Jesus and know that He is enough.” I need the reminder every day that I will always be enough in Him. Blessings and hugs to you!

Reply
Lois Flowers September 7, 2016 - 1:01 pm

Yes, you will, Trudy! It’s a reminder that never loses its power, isn’t it? Hugs, my friend!

Reply
Betsy de Cruz September 6, 2016 - 10:10 am

That’s a powerful antidote to comparison: Look to Jesus and remember that HE is enough!

Reply
Lois Flowers September 7, 2016 - 1:00 pm

Well said, Betsy. 🙂 I hope you are having a good week!

Reply
Candace Playforth September 6, 2016 - 7:15 am

I absolutely love this, Lois. I’ve been pondering these questions often lately. When I get stuck in these “striving for more” places in life, I have to stop and think, will it ever be enough? Will I ever be enough? Thank you for this: “Look at Jesus and know that He is enough.” That is truly the answer.

Reply
Lois Flowers September 7, 2016 - 12:58 pm

I feel the same way, Candace. Sometimes tweaking the words we use can totally change our perspective, don’t you think? Good to hear from you this week!

Reply