- Yah! I AM the best = Pride
- No way-not me. I'm not enough; and never will be = Self-condemnation
There is a road between these two - pride and self-condemnation - where one must travel. On this road we have a companion - Jesus Christ. The truth is HE has made us "enough" thru HIS shed blood. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior He makes us "enough".
Think for a moment what a "prideful" life looks like - always concerned with self; puffed up; no one is any better than me, and so on. Pride destroys relationships - it is very difficult to spend a lot of time with a prideful person and feel good about yourself or them.
Think for a moment what a "self-condemning" life looks like - always concerned with self; deflated and melancholic; everyone is better than me; I will never measure up to any standards - not even my own. Self-condemnation also destroys relationships - no one wants to continually spend time at a pity-party where there is no joy or love or pleasure found.
The world tells us that aging should be avoided so you must color your hair; take out the wrinkles with botox or surgery; have breast implants to keep the breasts from sagging; have liposuction to keep other parts from getting flabby; workout 3 + hours a day to "stay in shape" - get those abs built up. The world tells us we are never enough when we compare ourselves to all the pictures we see in magazines and on TV etc.
The world tells us we will not have enough success unless we claw our way up the ladder to mega bucks per year; in the process neglecting our spouses and children. We must live in a new house with 2 or more cars in the yard... etc. Financial wealth and possessions will make us enough.
The world tells us that 'contacts' will make us enough - who we know - who we socialize with - will make us enough.
The world says that we must love ourselves, have good self-esteem and never let anyone see that we aren't "perfect" in all things.
I want you to know that YOU ARE ENOUGH!
You are enough reason for God to sacrifice His Son on the cross so that you don't have to face eternal life in hell. God - the creator of all things; the Master of the Wind and Rain and Sun and Moon and Stars loves you - YOU ARE ENOUGH!
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
God, in His goodness, wants you as His child -
John 1: 12 - Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
God, in His mercy and grace, forgives the shame and the pride, the self-condemnation and the puffyness - Colossians 3:13; Matthew 6:12; Luke 6:37
I am reminded of the shining faces of the parents of a newborn son - beaming with joy and love - this mom stays at home and loves her children with Christ's love; teaches them; guides them; builds them up in the Lord. She and her hubby have a success in their life beyond measure - never to be measured by the world's standards. THEY ARE ENOUGH! and they know it!
I am reminded of the one who shares of all she has (which is very little), and the one who shares of her bounty - both know they are enough.
I am reminded of myself - who once thought I wasn't enough - I didn't measure up to the worlds standards - but thru God's grace and love I have found that I am enough! Hallelujah! His Word tells me over and over just how much I am enough!
Dear ones, I pray today that you too will find - thru Christ in your life - that YOU ARE ENOUGH! God loves you and desires HIS best for you - that may not be as the world desires but it is so much better. If you haven't already done so, I pray you will give your life over to Him today. If you have done so and find your self living with condemnation and self-pity - talk with a mature Christian who can lead you thru the Truth of God's Word.
YOU ARE ENOUGH!
Blessings on you *Ruthie*
