All of us use words to describe what we think about ourselves. For some of us those words are “ashamed”, “stupid”, “ugly”, “unlovable”, and “unworthy”. I know that these words go through my head a lot…especially on those days when I experience something that confuses or embarrasses me.
Living in the world we live in, with the constant self-promotion and marketing…we can’t help but look at ourselves and think that we fall short. It doesn’t really matter what arena we are in…be it work, family, or church, we still want to live up to a certain “ideal”.
The other day I was at a ladies bible study. I love going to this study, God’s Word is alive, and the women there love Jesus. It is always such a growth experience for me…and a very humbling one. At this last study, I just sat there, feeling a little overwhelmed and sorry for myself. The women were all such scholars…quoting this scripture and that, discussing the Word as if they knew it from cover to cover off by heart. I just sank further and further into my seat, not making too much eye contact, hoping that no one would ask me to say anything…after all, I was the oldest one there! I should have had something to contribute, right?
I went home feeling so ashamed of myself, so unworthy. So unlovable. How could God love someone like me…I didn’t deserve it. After all, here I am, a missionary! How can he use someone who doesn’t even know that much?
Of course I told my mother and the friend who keeps me most accountable…maybe they would have words to encourage me, and tell me that I am smart/good enough. That’s what I wanted to hear!
Good thing that isn’t what I ended up hearing. My friend got frustrated with me. She told me to see myself the way that Jesus sees me…and to stop comparing myself to others. I need to stop valuing things that aren’t important. (I have a real issue with worshipping knowledge.) She told me to listen to the words that Jesus wanted me to hear. And so I did…and I heard…
“You are ENOUGH”!
“You are PRECIOUS”!
“You are LOVED”!
I am enough? He loves me just like this? Confused and uneducated? Yes…and that’s how he loves all of us.
Can YOU hear Him saying the same to you?
“YOU are “ENOUGH”!
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 NIV)
“YOU are “PRECIOUS”!
“YOU are “LOVED”!
“I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior…Since you were PRECIOUS in My sight, You have been honored, And I have LOVED you.” (Isaiah 43:1b-3a NKJV)
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the LOVE of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 NKJV)
So, can you join me in this? When the enemy starts whispering in your ear, and telling you those words of lies…tell yourself, “I am enough, I am precious, and I am loved. I am accepted for who I am. Jesus has created me in HIS image, and he makes NO MISTAKES!! I do not need to earn His love or acceptance…
because I am ENOUGH!”