I hear this saying, “You are enough,” see it in memes, and read about it. And I believe it, but maybe not in the way it is usually presented. It is definitely an affirming inspirational saying. I don’t believe I have to be more, do more, say more, try more in order to be accepted by others.
This is damaging self-talk!
The idea that I am NOT enough is abhorrent to me, and it is an idea that sometimes gets pounded into our heads—as we’re growing up, as we go to school, as we enter into unhealthy relationships. I do believe that a relationship that says you are not enough is not a healthy relationship. In some people it is so ingrained that it becomes part of the self-talk they tell themselves, which I believe is why the saying has gained such popularity. We need to change the message we are hearing that tells us we are not enough. That is a false and damaging self image.
However, sometimes I think we may use “I am enough” as an excuse to stop trying. It’s definitely an affirmation of acceptance, and for that I applaud the concept. Some people need to hear it, and hear it often, until they believe it. But it’s also kind of a catch-22 for those who aren’t needing to overcome the negative self talk. If I am enough, then why bother being more, doing more, saying more, and trying more? And if I’m not going for more… whatever—it takes away my ambition and my desire to become a better person. I don’t believe God created us to just endure and wait out this life because “I am enough.” After all, we are fearfully and wonderfully made for His purposes.
Because God created us in His image, I want to BE more. More like Him. I want to be more faithful, more loving, more joyful, more patient, kinder, more compassionate, more peaceful, more giving. I want to be a better person. I want to be a better example to those who are in my sphere of influence. I want my life to be more inspiring. I don’t want to just be enough, I want to be more.
I want to DO more. I want to do more of the things that will help me draw closer to God, more to support my family, more to make me healthier, more to make my home a comfortable place, more to inspire and help others and get out of myself. I want to listen more and understand more without my own thoughts getting in the way. I want to pray more and immerse myself in God’s Word more. I don’t want to just do enough, I want to do more.
I want to SAY more. If I see injustice of any kind, I want to speak up about it. I want to speak praise when someone needs or deserves it. If I haven’t heard from someone in awhile, I want to be the one to initiate the contact. I want to say more about the things that are the most important in my life. I want to share the excitement of being His child more often than I share the other things in my life that excite me. I want to speak the love of Christ and share what He has done for me and others. I want to share the hope I have because of Jesus. I don’t want to just say enough, I want to say more.
I want to TRY more. I want to try to be the person I know I can be, the person God wants me to be. I want to try more to be Christlike in every aspect of my life. I want to try more to center my daily life on Christ. I want to try more to bring glory to God in everything I do. I don’t want to just try enough, I want to try more.
Because the reality is, the reason I am enough is because Jesus is enough. The apostle Paul had some weakness, a “thorn in the flesh,” and tells us he pleaded with God three times for it to be taken away. The answer God gave him, as recorded in 2 Corinthians 12:9 was “my grace is sufficient [enough] for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” We will never “be enough, say enough, do enough, or try enough” to be saved. But God’s grace is sufficient, and His power rests on us in our weakness.
Jesus said, “Follow me,” and then He died and was resurrected so that I could die to myself and live for Him, and be with Him forever in Heaven—not because I am enough, but because I follow Him, and He is enough. In fact, He lives in me!
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20
Because Christ lives in me, I am enough. And all those things I want to be, do, say, and try—well, those are because I want to be conformed to God’s will. I want to love as He loves.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Mother theResa
I want to continually strive to be more like Christ, say what Christ would say, do what brings glory to God, and try to be His hands and feet on earth. The apostle Peter puts it like this:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:10-11
I don’t want to just be enough by the world’s standards. I want to be transformed by renewing my mind, worshipping and pleasing God as a living sacrifice, and following God’s “good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2
The rest of Romans 12 provides a great starting point to learning how to be more like Christ and letting Him shine through in your life, and believing that because of Christ, you are enough. I’d love to hear your thoughts about this. If you haven’t subscribed, you can do so below to be notified of new blog posts and other noteworthy happenings.
