You are Enough
Most of us carry around a quiet ache: “I am not enough.” We compare ourselves to others (thank you, Facebook), we fall short in our expectations, and life can be so overwhelming that we feel ill-equipped to tackle it. Certainly, God must be disappointed - in our thoughts, in our actions, in us. But Scripture pushes back on that insecurity with a steady, unshakeable message:
God is enough, and through Christ, you are enough.
Recently, these truths became personal through a simple moment with my daughter. A few years ago, my daughter decided to get the word “enough” tattooed in American Sign Language (ASL), each hand shape spelled along her arm. She explained it was a reminder not to demand more of herself than God does. A reminder that although by herself she is not enough, Jesus’ love shown to her on the cross declares that Christ is enough and by that, she is, too.
It even inspired me to get my first tattoo! Such a cool, meaningful experience we shared side-by-side, a father and daughter choosing a word that captures a deeper truth: we are not holding ourselves together; God is holding us. And mine is a cross marked with Philippians 4:13, my favorite verse of the Bible. Both are excellent reminders of Scripture’s message about our identity and worth.
1. God Is Enough
We say “God is enough,” but most of us live like everything depends on us. We’re the ones in charge, and all we need is an occasional co-pilot. That’s backwards. Scripture doesn’t float above the realities of life; it steps directly into our exhaustion, fear, and limits.
“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
Paul isn’t writing from a place of confidence. He is depleted, praying for relief that’s not coming when he needs it. God’s response is not a quick solution but a long-term promise: His grace becomes strongest where human strength breaks down. And it is sufficient to hold the weight of the world. We can lean on him, both ourselves and our troubles, and he’ll carry our load. For all of us.
God shows up in the good times and the bad. Actually, it’s in the bad times when I see God the most. That’s when my inadequacies get exposed. When times are good, I feel self sufficient and often forget God’s role in my life. But when the going gets rough, that’s when I truly realize I need a savior. My weakness is when Christ’s power shines.
In everyday life, this looks like letting God into the parts of you that feel frayed and overwhelmed instead of trying to push through on your own. Healing doesn’t begin with more effort. It begins with surrender.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” — Psalm 23:4
David writes these words from the valley, not the meadow. And in that valley, he shifts from describing God to speaking directly to Him. Suddenly the psalm becomes intimate: “You are with me.”
This is not poetic sentiment. It’s a lived reality. God walks beside you in your confusion, anxiety, grief, and loneliness. He doesn’t rush your pace or leave you to navigate the dark alone. Many people only notice His nearness because they are in a place where all other supports have been stripped away. But rest assured, He’s always there.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19
This comes from one of my favorite chapters in the Bible (hence, my tattoo). Surprisingly, Paul writes this from a prison cell, a place marked by coldness, hunger, and uncertainty. When he says God meets every need, he is not speaking theoretically. He is speaking from experience.
God’s provision shows up in surprising ways: a moment of clarity when everything feels muddled, the strength to get through an exhausting day, a sense of peace even when circumstances remain unresolved. Sometimes it’s a person who shows up right when you need them, or an inner steadiness that seems too strong to have come from you. Often, God provides not by changing your situation but by strengthening you within it.
Recently, we rewatched the movie Evan Almighty. One of my favorite quotes from the movie is delivered by Morgan Freeman as God: "If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient?" God doesn't just give you what you pray for, but the opportunity to develop it. And in the long run, that’s a better answer.
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.” — Psalm 63:3
David, weary and thirsty in the wilderness, makes a declaration that sounds almost unreasonable: God’s love is better than anything else he could gain or lose. What he means is this—God’s love is a shelter. Even when life feels harsh and chaotic, there is a groundedness that keeps you centered. You don’t have to outperform anyone. You don’t have to earn acceptance. You don’t have to secure your worth. When you stop tying your identity to how well you’re doing, you finally experience rest.
2. Through Christ, You Are Enough
It is one thing to believe that God is enough. It is another to believe you are enough. But Scripture speaks with clarity.
“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
You are God’s one-of-a-kind, handcrafted work. That means your design is intentional. Your personality, gifts, experiences, and even your struggles are not random accidents. They form the shape of a life God is actively crafting. You are not defective or forgotten. You are being formed.
And it’s all for a higher purpose. God created each of us for a reason. He knows why we’re here because he planned out our good works. Our life is about more than us. His story gets fulfilled through us, not the other way around.
There’s an excitement and assurance knowing we’re part of a larger plan. That’s where we can find peace and comfort. Jim Valvano said it like this: “A person really doesn't become whole, until he becomes a part of something that's bigger than himself.”
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” — John 15:16
Jesus says these words to disciples who are flawed, inconsistent, and still figuring things out. His choice isn’t based on their performance. It’s rooted in His love. This means your failures don’t un-choose you. Your doubts don’t push you out. God’s invitation to belong remains open, steady, and deeply personal. It’s like sitting at a table where your place is reserved, your name already written on the card.
There’s nothing you can do to revoke that invitation. God doesn’t deny your brokenness, but He never defines you by it. Where you see failure, God sees beloved. “Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” — Romans 15:7
Acceptance is a powerful word. You aren’t merely tolerated or allowed in. You are welcomed. This means you don’t have to hide parts of yourself or present a polished version of who you think you’re supposed to be. You can show up exactly as you are—uncertain, imperfect, still learning—and Christ meets you with open arms. Stop trying to earn what has already been given to you!
Imagine if you see yourself the way God sees you? You’d live from acceptance, not for it. You would no longer be driven by fear of rejection, but by security in love. You wouldn’t strive to earn God’s approval, you’d respond to it (Ephesians 2:8–10). How awesome would that be!
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39
Paul names every kind of fear we carry: our past, our present, our unknown future. He insists that none of these can sever you from God’s love. And he’s right. It’s like being held during turbulence—the shaking is real, but the grip that holds you is stronger. When your emotions insist that you’re failing or falling apart, this truth becomes a lifeline.
3. When Scripture Meets Counseling
Biblical truth tells you who you are. Counseling helps you untangle the stories and wounds that keep you from believing it. In the counseling room, people learn to confront old narratives, challenge perfectionism, and release shame. They learn to replace the loud internal critic with the quieter, steadier voice of God’s love. Faith and therapy are not competing approaches. They are complementary. Scripture gives identity; counseling helps you live from it.
4. Living From “Enough”
When these truths settle into your heart, your life begins to shift. You stop living under the pressure to perform and start living with a sense of grounded peace. You treat yourself with compassion rather than criticism. You become more authentic, less controlled by comparison, and more anchored in who God says you are. This is the life God invites you to live—one where you don’t chase “enough” like something distant, but discover it is already true and present.
An Invitation
If you feel the old ache of “not enough,” you don’t have to face it alone. Your story matters. Your healing matters. Your heart matters.
God is enough, and through Christ, you are enough.
Whenever you’re ready to take that step into deeper healing, I would be honored to walk with you.