For the first time in history, every person on earth who has either a cell phone or computer can keep up with and compare themselves to every other person on earth.
We can now see their “perfect” marriages, children, vacations, and fancy dinners. When we look at these images daily on media outlets like Facebook, it’s human nature to compare ourselves: “How did they have enough money to take a trip to Europe?” we might say. Or, “They really are living the perfect life – look at all they have!” And then we see all the accomplishments they or their children are achieving and we wonder how they did it all.
It’s enough to make you look in the mirror and say, “I’m just not good enough.”
But is it the truth? Let’s look at some examples of what to do when you feel like you’re just not enough:
1. When we compare ourselves with others we aren’t seeing the truth of what God sees.
William Backus and Marie Chapian, authors of Telling Yourself the Truth, call this misbelief. We see people who are greatly accomplished all around us. God sees the one whom He died for and He sees a person for whom He has a plan for in their life. Instead of saying, “I’m a failure and no good,” we should say, “I may have failed at that job, relationship, etc. but I am deeply loved by God and therefore I am very important.”
2. Look at yourself clearly and all of your misbeliefs. Then remove them with the Word of God which is the truth: “Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exaltreth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Say to yourself that you aren’t bad. You aren’t a failure. You are created in the image of God and so you are wonderful in His eyes!
3. Removing them is harder than you may think. Most people repeat to themselves words like, “Oh, I can’t do anything right. I’m always making mistakes.” But these are not the truth! If you do believe these words, you are believing a lie that Satan wants you to so you will fail. These words are self-talk and if you talk to yourself lies, you will begin to act out what you are thinking!
In Telling Yourself the Truth, Backus and Chapian ask what kind of statements you say to yourself. Be honest which ones you use.
"I am dumb." Or, "Thank you, Lord, for giving me intelligence."
"I am unattractive." Or, "Thank you, Lord, for making me attractive."
"I am old." Or, "Thank you, Lord, for giving me more years to live!"
"People don’t like me." Or, "Thank you, Lord, for making me likeable."
"I have no talent." Or, "Thank you, Lord, for the talents you’ve given me."
"I’m miserable." Or, "I’m content."
"I’m no good." Or, "Thank you, Lord, for your righteousness in me."
It is not pleasing to the Lord when we speak evil of anyone, or for that matter, when we speak evil at all. To speak of yourself in a belittling or destructive way is, in His sight, evil:
"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (against yourself as well against anyone else!), Depart from evil (saying evil words and believing evil thought about yourself as well as about anyone else!), and do good; seek peace, and pursue it." (Psalm 34:13-14).
When we tell ourselves that we just aren’t enough, we are allowing the beauty of a godly life to lose its light. Remember! We are supposed to be the light showing the world who Jesus is! When we tell ourselves that we just aren’t enough, we are allowing ourselves to believe in a lie rather than the beautiful truth that God loves us!
Our lives hold meaning because God loves us and because we are His.
Our lives do not depend upon someone else loving us, staying with us, respecting us, noticing us or pledging their eternal devotion to us. It’s nice to have friends and loved ones, but having them is not what makes us important. If you believe you cannot live without a certain person or that your entire existence depends on somebody else, you are setting yourself up to be hurt by that misbelief.
If you believe that you can’t have a successful life because you aren’t making a ton of money or you aren’t on the cover of a magazine, you are setting yourself up to be hurt by that misbelief.
If you believe that you have to have the clothes, the house, the jewelry, the trips that others have, you are setting yourself up to be hurt by that misbelief.
The only thing we must have in order to have a peaceful, happy, contented life is to live for the Lord with all our mind, body, soul and spirit. He is our life! And He has created us to be more than enough.
Lane P. Jordan is a best-selling author, international motivational and inspirational speaker, singer, artist, Bible teacher, and professional life coach. She lives in Frisco, Texas with her husband who partners with her in ministry and waits impatiently for daughters and granddaughter to visit! Lane’s desire is to encourage, support, and motivate women of all ages to be better wives, mothers, and women of God by organizing their lives and time. You can find her at: www.LaneJordanMinistries.com and her blog at www.PathwaysToOrganization.com.
Publication date: October 12, 2016