Last week my friend and preaching colleague, Wilson Adams, shared a Facebook post that no doubt resonates with many people—including many Christians.
Consider Wilson’s words in light of Scripture and a few pertinent observations.
“You’re not good enough!”
“You’re not smart enough!”
“You’re not pretty enough!”
“You’re not talented enough!”
“You’re not worthy enough!”
“You’re not ________ enough!”
You can fill in the blank. In fact, there are a lot of “not good enough” blanks. The saddest part? We grow up hearing the “not good enough” lies and… believe them.
Big life decision: STOP believing the lies!
Here’s the deal: stop trying to please the non-pleasers who are intent on knocking you down and, instead, start living YOUR LIFE and become THE BEST YOU that YOU can be. Otherwise, you will live in a constant state of compare-drama and marching to the beat of someone else’s drum.
Your life identity in linked to two truths: (1) who God is, and (2) who you are to Him.
Remember the simple song: “God Is So Good?” Remember how it ends? “He’s so good to me.” Yes He Is. To Him, you are enough. In fact, the most beautiful Father-child love story ever written is the one you are writing with Him. So, keep writing.
Wilson’s post echoes sentiments David often expressed in the Psalms. One that comes to mind is Psalm 139, where David exclaimed, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (v. 14).
While Psalm 139 exalts God’s wondrous works and awesome attributes, it also speaks to David’s intimate relationship with the Father. David understands his identity in light of God’s intimate knowledge of him, His work in forming him, and His continuing presence in his life.
Wilson’s post and David’s Psalm remind us of three important points:
#1 See yourself through God’s eyes.
God sees deeper than human judgment or popular comparisons. When Samuel came to anoint a king from Jesse’s sons, the Lord reminded him that people look at outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).
Our world measures worth by accomplishments, financial success, popularity, and even looks. God sees deeper.
#2 Stop measuring yourself against other people.
Not everyone is a five-talent person, or even a two-talent person. So what?
Everyone has worth, dignity, and value. Each of us has purpose in God’s plan for our lives.
Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)reminds us that everyone is not entrusted with the same amount. While the talents were sums of money, the principle applies to our abilities and opportunities.
Jesus didn’t expect the two-talent man to achieve what the five-talent man accomplished. Yet both received the same commendation for their faithfulness.
Likewise, the one-talent man was not condemned because he had less than the others, but because he failed to use what his master entrusted to him—which leads us to point #3.
#3 Use what God has given you.
Discover your talent. Use whatever skill you possess for God’s glory. Do what you can do.
In Galatians 6:4–5, Paul urges each of us to examine our own work and bear our own load. Instead of measuring ourselves against others, we must accept personal responsibility.
The real question is: Am I glorifying God by using whatever talents, resources, and opportunities I have?
None of us have exactly the same gifts. Thus, our view of ourselves should reflect neither arrogance nor self-contempt.
The ultimate answer to the “I’m not good enough” refrain is to rely on the Lord and know He is the source of our strength, sufficiency, and worth.
One final thought. We must not confuse our worth to God with sinlessness or self-sufficiency. Indeed, all have sinned. But our sin does not mean we are worthless. It reminds us how much we need God’s grace, forgiveness, and strength.
I cannot earn salvation by being “good enough.” But I can stop believing that I am worthless. God loves me. Christ died for me. And with His help, I can faithfully use what He has given me.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
