Not-Enoughness
Written by Nikki Banning
A Heartbreaking Text
A few weeks ago, I received a text from my middle daughter. Was she “too much?”
Reading that text just about broke this momma’s heart.
And it spurred conversation around identity with my friend, Tami. You see, Tami had also struggled with feeling or being labeled as “too (fill in the blank)” for most of her life.
The Other Side of the Coin
Growing up, I don’t remember hearing or feeling I was “too much.” In fact, I’m here with the other side of that coin.
Not quite enough. Too quiet. Too small. Unseen. Unheard. Unworthy.
I remember feeling these things early in life. Deeply. And painfully. I felt them when my dad left our family when I was eight years old. I experienced those emotions to my core as middle school best friends carelessly told me I would never be the kind of person “that” guy would want as a girlfriend. I heard those words spoken over me in an early teen relationship. Then again after divorce. I’ve encountered those feelings lately when my voice was not loud enough to be heard over the din of bigger personalities and louder words.
Not enough. You are not seen. You are not heard.
(Side note: There is no blame here; simply recognition of how these circumstances affected my own thoughts of who I am.)
God’s Pursuit
But. I have a God who has pursued me relentlessly–so I could unlearn those feelings of unworthiness, of not-enoughness. So I could begin to embrace all of the ‘me-ness’ He created and instilled in me. So I could learn to receive and honor His great love over me. So I could respond to the call as His worthy daughter; a daughter of the Most High King.
He brought family members, friends, and coaches into my life, speaking affirmations of my identity in Christ. The Holy Spirit began pouring scripture over my heart, changing me from the inside out.
Scriptures That Spoke to Me
Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
Psalm 139:14 (ESV) – “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) – “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
This thought stirred my mind and brought peace to my soul. His heart longs to be gracious to me; to be compassionate and loving. Even when I’m full of doubts and feel I have nothing to offer. I can rest, knowing His love for me is greater.
He Sees You
And it is for you, too.
He’s the God who sees you.
Psalm 16:13 (NASB) – “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God who sees me’; for she said, ‘Have I even seen Him here and lived after He saw me?’”
Psalm 34:14 (NIV) – “When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” He hears you.
Encouragement for You
So, friend–when you feel the “not enoughness” this world can bring, I encourage you to keep your eyes focused on Him. Search His Word for verses to cling to when “those” feelings creep in and speak of your unworthiness.
He sees you. He hears you. In Him, you are more than enough.
