As we go through our lives, we continuously want to measure up. We strive to be better and to do more. We want to grow to be a friend that is dependable, a boyfriend/girlfriend that is supportive, a daughter/son that makes our parents proud, a brother/sister that is lovable, the list goes on and on. Spoiler alert: you can't do it all, and you never will be able to. We can't do everything; we are not perfect. We are flawed, broken, and we make mistakes. But that is 100%, completely okay, because we aren't expected to be perfect despite the many pressures that we put on ourselves. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life on earth and He is the only one that will ever do so.
Even so, there is no denying that there are times we feel like we don't measure up to where we want to be. We feel weak, inadequate, and unworthy. We constantly get down on ourselves, thinking we aren't enough. Well, for the next time that you feel these things, I challenge you to look to these truths in God's word...
You are so enough in the Lord. Yes, without God, you aren't enough, He is the one that makes us full. And He is the only one that has the power to do so. We are made alive in Christ and we can be satisfied with ourselves if we rest in Him, and Him alone.
"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,"
-2 Corinthians 3:5
You are loved, a lot. No matter what happens in your life, no matter your mistakes, sins, and shortcomings, you have a God who loves you more than anything you could possibly imagine. Even when you feel unworthy, He is putting you up on a pedestal as His child and He is overflowing with love for you.
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." -Ephesians 3:17-19
You are strong. Though in these times you may feel fragile and weak, God's power triumphs over all and I want you to remember that if you rest in Him, you will feel His strength. He is mighty and powerful and would fight off armies for your heart.
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." -Isaiah 40:29
God wants you to boast in your weaknesses, for His glory is revealed. It is in the low times that we are able to appreciate the high. Our weaknesses are where we are able to lean on and depend on Christ to lift us back up, and in that His glory is revealed. He is all that we need. He is sufficient.
"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
-2 Corinthians 12:9
God has a reason for you feeling inadequate, and He will reveal that to you in His time. Think about every hardship you have ever been through... He has always made it work out up to now so why would He ever quit? Be reminded of the great things He has done for you and be reminded that there si a reason for Him taking away certain things. It is not because of you, it is just God's plan for you.
"Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
-John 13:7
I understand, we can know these truths, but it is extremely difficult to actually believe them about yourself. Next time you are going through a struggle, I want you to turn to the Lord, rest in Him, and remember these simple truths that will turn those feelings of inadequacy to feelings of triumph. I leave you with song lyrics of one of a song that is overflowing with truth that every person should be reminded of every day:
"I reach out and you find me in the dust
You say no amount of untruths can separate us.
I will rejoice in the simple gospel
I will rejoice in you, Lord"
-United Pursuit, Simple Gospel
