“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” –Maya Angelou
Do you believe that?
For so many of us, this can be such a difficult truth to believe. Why is that?
For one thing, the world is against us as far as feeling good enough is concerned. Just flip on the TV to see shows filled with people who are the “ideal” size and shape and have the perfect families, friends, and relationships. Ads are constantly telling us how to solve all the things wrong with us…or at the very least making us feel like we want or need something, giving us unrest.
We’ve all run into those super smart, pretty, successful, or picture-perfect people who just make us feel like we haven’t done enough with our lives.
Maybe you were turned down for a job you really wanted. Or maybe you’ve been applying for jobs for months and you’ve been turned down countless times.
If you’re single, and even if you’re not, you’ve probably experienced rejection and heartbreak.
And if you’ve ever had a friend who’s turned on you, it may have made you question a whole lot about yourself. Not to mention our own family members who don’t even accept us for who we really are.
You may be reading this thinking well this is the biggest downer ever.
Don’t worry. It’ll get better, I promise.
I say all this so we can agree on this point: the world is constantly fighting against us, questioning who we are, why we’re here, and where we’re going. And it will be that way for as long as we live.
building your identity on truth
Our job is to get to a place where all that noise is just noise. It’s not truth. We don’t have to accept it. Heck, we don’t even have to listen to it.
Ultimately, the goal is to know and understand deeply and without a doubt who we are. We’ll do that by building our identities on truth.
Truth can’t come crumbling down when we’re having a bad day or when someone tells us a lie. If your identity is built on solid ground—so to speak—those false words will bounce right off of you and land in the trash pile. Instead of seeping into your mind and making themselves at home.
It’s easy to let go of the promise that “we’re enough” and to start living in a place of striving, achieving, perfecting, pleasing, and proving to show those around us and even ourselves (especially ourselves) that we can, in fact, be good enough.
But that cycle is toxic and deceiving. In fact, the harder we try to win approval, the more miserable and insufficient we feel. The further we go down the rabbit hole of trying to please someone or get them to look at us a certain way, to respect us, to love us…the unhealthier we become—mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
nuggets of truth to chew on
- What your father or mother said or did that has stuck in your mind for years doesn’t define you.
- Your relationship status doesn’t define you.
- Your friendships don’t define you.
- Your career does not define you.
- Your achievements don’t define you.
God does that. And you know what he says about you?
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling. There is no flaw in you.” Song of Solomon 4:7
“Let me see your face, let me hear your voice. For your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” Song of Solomon 2:14
“For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
“You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” Isaiah 62:3
Wow. Read those verses again if you need to. Or better yet, write them down and put them in a place where you can revisit them often.
Did you know God felt this way about you? So often we hear of the God of the Bible as the rule maker and law enforcer. When in reality, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll see that he’s freedom, hope, joy, and love – everything we want and need to live a full life.
we all feel unworthy sometimes
Of course, that doesn’t mean we are.
When I’m having a really hard time with life, I try to journal. 2020 was a hard year for almost everyone I’ve talked to or heard from. Other than the obvious reasons, which we all experienced collectively, before COVID even hit, I was unemployed. And had been for months.
Around February or March, I felt like I was at the end of my rope. I was still without a full-time job. And I was exhausted in every possible way.
I had terrible anxiety, and I think depression was an unwelcome side effect. On top of that, I had just started going to counseling. When I say that, you may think, “well that’s great. I bet that helped!” Well, it did help me work through some things for sure. But it made me even more mentally and physically exhausted on top of how I already felt.
feeling inadequate
My identity was being beaten down and torn away until there wasn’t a whole lot left that I recognized. On top of all that, I was also dating a little bit. I met several people, and they all ended up falling through the cracks.
All this to say, I was in a difficult place. I was unhappy. I was unmotivated. I felt like I didn’t know who I was or what I was supposed to do with my life. I felt abandoned. Alone. Angry. Hurt. Rejected. Disappointed. Just terribly inadequate.
searching for hope
That’s when I picked up a pen and reminded myself of the truth I couldn’t feel or see. It turned into a love letter—a reminder to myself of what God says about me even when I don’t understand how in the world the words can be true. It’s in these moments that I need them most.
I want to share them with you—just in case you ever come to a point where you need them as much as I did (and still often do).
And, of course, if you don’t believe in God, you can simply soak in the words of truth.
you are enough: a love letter from the Father
You, yes YOU, are enough. You are complete. You are whole. I would never lie to you. I am the God of the universe – the heavens and the earth – and I don’t make mistakes. I crafted you carefully, thoughtfully, perfectly, beautifully, in my very own image.
How can you say you’re not enough? Why do you listen to others when they tell you you’re not enough?
You are mine – exactly who I created you to be. Don’t you dare listen to the lies of this world. Listen to me. I know everything about you. I know your past and your present, and I’ve already written the pages of your future.
Your story is lovely and holds power, wisdom, and perspective. No one can take your place. No one else is like you. Isn’t that amazing?
Keep your eyes fixed on me and me alone. I am with you always. I will never leave your side – never! I have chosen you, and I’m going nowhere.
I am the Author of your story, and you’re going to love reading the chapters as they unfold. There is light, color, music, and so many precious moments ahead of you. Rest in the shelter of my wings. Rest in my never-ending peace. It is yours to take as much as you want.
Tell me what you love, what you desire most. I already know, but I love hearing it from you so I can answer your prayers to me. The deepest desires of your heart are amazing, and I want to give them to you – show them to you when you can most deeply feel and enjoy them.
I see you. I know your heart. And I love you more than you can possibly imagine. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are perfect in my eyes.
You are enough, my Love. You are and always were and always will be. Never forget that. When someone tells you differently, don’t believe them. Just look at me and remember all that you are.
Love,
Your Heavenly Father
I am loved. I am worthy. I am enough.
And so are you.
With love and hope,
