I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about this blog post. And to be honest, I thought the best thing to do was to just delete the series and pretend it never happened. I don’t want to play anymore.
I can’t solve deep issues like “being enough” here on this silly blog. And I wondered ‘who am I to think so?’
But I had to go back to my intro post and read it again. This is an exploration. I am hoping to find some answers for myself, and then take actions to secure my own place of belonging. I’m not here to solve this equation for you or anybody else. You have to do that yourself. What I do hope to do is cause you to self-reflect. Possibly my search will give you pause to think and recognize some things about your own life. Then, it’s up to you to take action — or not.
So with that disclaimer out of the way (I may have to type the above paragraph on each and every post until the series is done)…
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We left off yesterday with a story from a friend (link) and her perception of never being enough. And I use that word intentionally. The definition of perception is:
The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. A way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression. Synonyms would be words like: thought, belief, impression, notion, grasp, consciousness, understanding.
You see, I know this woman well enough to know her head knows she’s enough, but her heart often lags behind. Her brain knows she does many things well, but her emotions get stuck in the past. They have a hard time keeping up. And on any given day, it doesn’t take much to set them way behind. And on those days, she struggles to find her place. Where she belongs. Because, really, who wants anyone who just isn’t enough? perception… emotion…
On that day, over that cup of Americano, I tried to speak empowering words into the life of my friend. I suggested ways to help her change her self-talk. I listed all the things she does well. I spoke of the people who love and admire her. I spoke to her about God.
Because here’s the thing…
From the groundwork I laid the first few days of this series, you know that I am a Christian woman. And I believe that only God can heal some of our wounds. We have scars from childhood. We’re all damaged from high school. No one comes through their past unblemished. But God’s Word offers promises and blessings over our lives.
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 (NASB)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes. Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Sometimes we think we aren’t enough simply because we don’t believe. I challenge you, if you are a believer, to trust God at His word. Do we believe God? Then let’s act on that belief.
Believe. Trust. We are enough.
That said, along with His Word, I think God sometimes chooses to use really good counselors to help us find our way. We can’t put a bandage on a festering injury. There are times when the wound must be re-opened and cleansed. We need to discover the source of the harm. Then complete healing takes place. Maybe it’s time to call a pastor. Maybe a counselor can help guide us. Maybe it’s time to pick up the phone and call for help.
But for right now, we need to know that we are enough. We are enough because we are created in His image and He has good work for us to do, and He has given us the abilities to do them. And because of that work, I belong. And you belong.
wonderfully said