This past Monday the world observed International Women’s Day. I know of and personally know many wonderful women worth celebrating. And I’m thankful that women have and are fighting for equal rights and equal pay. Women are just as worthy of success as anyone else with the same qualifications. But I believe some messages of this movement miss the mark. We (women and men) were not created to be completely independent of God or other people.
A simple google search of the phrase “I am enough” unearths multiple books, t-shirts, jewelry lines, canvas prints, a master class and a guided self-love meditation. Self-help gurus shout from every platform, “I AM ENOUGH!” “YOU ARE ENOUGH!” In a world where every home improvement show and bikini-clad social media influencer nudges us toward comparison, it’s a nice thought. But here’s the thing, it’s not true.
This message and the people spouting it are well-meaning, and very prevalent in this season. The underlying message of building self-esteem, finding yourself worthy and loving who you are sounds good – even needed – in a climate of vicious bullying and cancel culture. And yet the same people who tell us that we are inherently beautiful also want to sell us billions of dollars in diet programs and products and who-knows-how much in exercise equipment, apparel and gym memberships. Also, we need to add to the Kardashian’s millions by using their cosmetic kits. So which is it? I am enough? Or do I need all these things to make me better?
I would not dream of speaking for you, but I will tell you how I feel about myself. Most definitely, I am NOT enough! This will not be a popular sentiment, but I have not been, nor will I ever be in and of myself, enough! If I measure myself against this world’s standards, there will always be someone smarter, prettier, more fit, more popular and who has nicer things! So how could I possibly be satisfied navel-gazing at myself? I can tell you without hesitation that I am not worthy, deserving or anywhere near perfect. There is something in me that will always keep me from being enough. But I am okay with that, because…
He is enough.
I don’t have to possess a supermodel’s body or perfectly symmetrical facial features. Almighty God, with reverence, made me wonderful (Psalm 139:14)
Never will I be the strongest or the smartest. That’s okay. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” And I might as well cease striving in my own power because apart from God’s Holy Son, Jesus, I can do nothing. (John 15:5)
I don’t have to dot every i or cross every t. Through Jesus, God forgives me for all my sins (Ephesians 1:7). Jesus died so I won’t have to be “good enough” (Galatians 2:21). I could never be righteous without His intervention.
As a middle aged, middle class woman, the probability of me gaining success according to our culture’s standards is low. But because of God’s blessings, I “abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
I no longer feel the need to hide my imperfections, because God’s power shines brightest through my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Whether or not I am in a romantic relationship or in the popular group, I am chosen and cherished by the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 2:9).
I could tell myself all day long that I’m enough. But a part of me knows that something is missing without Jesus. It’s not always easy to drown out the voices in my head and see myself the way God sees me. The loud messages of the world don’t line up. But the truth is…I can’t define my value. God’s word already describes me as a beloved daughter of the King of all Kings. What could be better than that?
And now for this week’s featured post!
AnnMarie of busyblessedwomen.com wrote about The God Who Sees Me last week. I didn’t realize how much I needed to explore this aspect of God’s character. In a world that is so noisy, it can be hard to feel truly seen, truly known and loved. But in God we are! Thanks, AnnMarie, for linking up with Grace and Truth.
1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.
2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.
3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).
We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.
MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Now Let’s Link Up!
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I love your encouraging and insightful words – He is enough!
Thank you so much, Carol.
Oh, this is just what I needed to read today! Thank you for guiding me through the ways I can stand tall beside Jesus through His Word. The Scriptures are so important in order to grasp our need to be who we are in Christ. I just love this.
Thank you so much, Linda. That means so much coming from you!
Amen, Lauren! I am in complete agreement with the wisdom of your post. The “I am enough” slogans of today misdirect us away from the truth of “I Am enough.”
Thank you for being counter-cultural.
Blessings to you,
Tammy
Blessings to you, Tammy. Thank you for the sweet words.
Amen! Oh how the world needs this truth. I’m sharing it everywhere lol. Thanks for going against the grain and being a counter-cultural Christian influencer. So rare.
Thank you, Annie. For the kind words and the shares!
Excellent post, Lauren, such encouraging words, we as women are so prone to deception, believing the lies of the culture. Amen HE IS ENOUGH!!
Oh, the lies of this culture are presently keeping me up at night. I’m so thankful that we are share the truth with each other and others.
Thank you for this uplifting and real reminder of who I am.
You are so welcome, Sarah. I so appreciate you reading.
Lauren, this is an angle that never would have crossed my mind, but it is profoundly accurate in so many ways. We do all need more than just ourselves…whether it is religion or family or a purpose, etc. Beautifully and brilliantly stated, my friend! I really enjoyed reading this post!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Friend, thank you for being so faithful to read and exchange ideas with me. It means a lot.
Lauren, I LOVE this!! So much truth to counteract all the myths and half-truths our culture throws at us to make us feel like we’re enough even as we are spending money to make ourselves better.
Thank you, Lois! That means so much coming from such a good writer!
Oh, I love this post Lauren! Especially the following;
“I no longer feel the need to hide my imperfections, because God’s power shines brightest through my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)… Because He is enough!”
Amen & Amen!
Bless you,
Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer. It’s been so encouraging to see how many agree with me on this point of view.
Thank you for this post! It is absolutely true. I have had to realign my own thinking to remind myself I am NOT enough, but He is. The lies are so subtle, but it has been that way since the garden.
You are right about that. There’s a reason Satan is said to masquerade as an angel of light.
Amen!!! I love your way of thinking, Lauren. If I am enough, why do I need cosmetics? And diet products? And hair coloring? I hope to never stop learning and growing. I hope to never be enough, and I am OK with that because He is enough!
Yes! I also hope to never stop learning and growing. Except my hips. They can quite growing!
Lauren, I have never felt I was enough – I have always felt I lacked something. As the years have passed, I have come to realize that I am fine with this. It is the very feeling which keeps me dependent on God for all things. And that is the very best place to be.
Amen, Joanne. I feel the same.
Lauren, I love this. So wonderfully spoken. Thank you for your insights and encouraging words. This blessed post resonated with me today. Blessings.
I’m so glad, Paula. I need to be thanking you for reading!
The idea that we’re not enough as women is a lie of the enemy. We don’t need to believe it if we have Jesus who is enough for us. Loved this post.
Thank you so much. And it’s been a pleasure to “meet” you in the blogosphere this week.
So good. We are not enough and never will be if we go by the world’s standards. Which by the way, are always changing. And yes, they say you are enough, and then sell you products to help you be enough. Such a mixed message. Unlike God’s message, which says with him we are enough. And we don’t even need to put make-up on or lose 5 pounds before he pays attention to us. And his standards never change. Your post reminded me of the book I read recently called, You’re Not Enough and That’s Okay by Allie Beth Stuckey. Let’s be okay with not being enough for the world and its standards, and enough with God in us and his standards.
Keep preaching it, Theresa! I have been so pleasantly surprised with how many women are on board with this message!
May God’s Word always inform us more than the voices of this world about our true identity!
Amen, Amy.
This is such a thought-provoking and insightful piece, Lauren, and so encouraging for believers! Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. I hope you are having a good weekend!
Thank you so much April. I love being a part of your community.