Many of us feel like we’re not good enough. Today we’ll talk about that as well as several reminders to help us through the next round of insecurities.
I’ve mentioned recently that I’ve been learning about personality. One of the things that’s stood out to me is that not all personality types struggle with insecurity or feelings of inadequacy.
But so many do. The results of insecurity manifest in different ways, and in some, feelings of inadequacy are debilitating and even destructive, but we do have a commonality.
Although I would never wish for someone else to experience the many negative effects of insecurity, I must admit there is comfort in knowing I’m not the only one who struggles with this.
And if so many people struggle with something, and I can see others and marvel that a person like them could struggle with the same thing I do, then perhaps the knowledge that this is normal can help me to move past feeling like I’m not enough. And maybe you too.
Because insecurity can be healthy when it protects us from narcissism or unhealthy decisions, but when left unchecked, it can cause us to freeze—halting our forward motion.
I’m guessing that on this particular spectrum, I lean far too right of the healthy range, whatever that it is. But how might I improve in this area?
Reminders for When You Feel Like You’re Not Enough
#1 – Acknowledge my strengths.
This can be difficult. It can feel like I’m boasting or prideful, and if used too much, I’m sure it could end in that territory.
But the truth is God made us. He made us with many talents and strengths, and we can thank Him for the strengths He’s given us.
#2 – Acknowledge my weaknesses.
I’m not sure about you, but this list is much easier for me to make. What would be the purpose in making something like this? For me, the purpose is to understand objectively where I could improve and move in that direction, without the self-defeating thoughts.
#3 – It’s okay to not be good at everything.
And along those lines, we must remember that it’s okay to have weaknesses. In fact, we all do. It’s not possible for us to not have something that needs shoring up. Besides, even if that were possible, would we want it? If I could do everything perfectly, where would the need for Jesus be—our very salvation?
#4 – Think about the thing.
So many times I miss the good or fun or joy in something because I’m too busy worrying about failing. There are many things in my life that are quite fun when I allow them to be.
#5 – Think about them.
Not only do I miss the joy in doing the things God’s given me to do, sometimes I miss connecting with those around me. The Christian walk is not insular. It would be so nice to be surrounded by others who only believe as I do, but that’s not what scripture calls us to.
There will be a day when we’ll be surrounded by other believers for eternity, but that day isn’t here yet. While on earth, our purpose is to be faithful and show up for our individual purposes toward making sure there are many walking the streets of gold with us.
#6 – Read God’s word, pray, and repeat.
This list wouldn’t be complete—not that it is really is anyway—without this point. Although I’ve listed it last, that’s not an indication that it’s least important. I seldom order my lists in any order anyway, but back to the point.
The best reminder for us when we feel like we’re not enough is to seek the One who sent His sweet Son to make sure that we’re enough through Him, and the way that we seek Him is through the Word He’s given us and by approaching Him through prayer.
The truth is we’re not alone, even in our propensity to feel that we’re not enough. But then, if we’re not alone in that, then maybe these reminders today will help you like they’re helping me. I pray so.
Do you feel like you’re not enough sometimes? What reminders help you? Be sure to share in the comments below.
More reading
- Eliminating Negative Self-Talk: 4 Key Reasons and Actionable Tips from HISsparrowBlog
- Feel Like a Failure: 3 Reminders of Encouragement from HISsparrowBlog
- Life in the Box: Understanding Identity from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
I’ve been learning how perfectionism, along with performance anxiety causes procrastinating doing the things God placed on our hearts. We then we miss out on all His blessings including joy! I’m learning to quiet the self-critical voices that I know are not from God!
I love that you said we miss out on the joy when we hesitate to do what God’s called us to. That is so true, and I forget about it completely sometimes when the hard is the only thing I can see. Thank you for your comment, Lynn!
This is a perennial struggle for me, and the only remedy is to stick close to truth as an extinguisher of all the lies I’m telling myself!
“Perennial struggle” is the truth for me, too, and so elequently coined. Thank you for commenting, Michele!
Thank you for your voice!
Thank you for stopping in, Michele!
I have been trying to remind myself to concentrate on the one thing that is to be the priority for the day. So often I think I have to do everything in one day. It’s amazing how different a day can feel when I fulfill the purpose of that day. Each day takes care of itself. It’s like putting Matthew 6:34 into practice 🙂 ““So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
That is such good advice, Joanne!
Lots of great wisdom here, Ashley! I’d guess most of us have felt like we’re not enough at some point (if not at MANY points! ha). But thankfully we never have to be “enough” on our own and are truly never alone. I have to remind myself of that truth whenever I do start feeling insecure.
Yes, isn’t it amazing that something that seems negative could be so comforting? Thank you for stopping by!
Thanks for the scriptures you have given us to dwell on.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jerralea!
Such good advice, Ashley! Nurturing good self-awareness helps us avoid the lies of the enemy and keep a healthy, God-filled perspective!
So true, Donna! Thanks for commenting!