You are enough.

No matter how many times we hear this phrase, it is difficult for the words to penetrate our hearts. Though we often receive the phrase with gratitude, our hearts never really believes it. Rather than sinking deep, those three little words quickly disappear into the void of insecurity and discontentment.

Why is it so hard to believe we are enough? Why is it easier to compare ourselves to others than to accept who we are? When will we finally feel content in who we are?

The other day, I came across a beautiful quote from George MacDonald, a nineteenth century author and Christian minister:

“I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to be thought about, born into God’s thought, and then made by God is the dearest, grandest, and most precious thing in all thinking.”

I was struck when I read this quote. It is far better to be me than any sort of ideal I create in my head. My existence, my body type, my personality, my interests, my quirks were all intended by God. Though these parts of myself are often difficult to accept on a daily basis, it is comforting to know that in the depths of God’s heart they are true and they are a part of me.

Being enough does not mean you are perfect; rather, it means you are human, fearfully and wonderfully made. Perfection is an impossible endeavor. When we try and try and try to be perfect, we feel as if we are inherently not enough. I can only imagine God’s sorrow when he sees his children discontent with themselves. Thankfully, God reminds us of the delight he takes in us with the words of Psalm 139:13-16:

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

Being enough is not conditional. Your worth is not hinged on your accomplishments or failures. We often believe in conditionals like if I pass this test, then I will be enough. If I lose this many pounds, then I will be enough. If I have this many friends, then I will be enough. These statements, however, are far from the truth. You are and will always be enough. There is nothing you can do or say to change your God-given worth.

In the end, you and I will never be able to completely live up to the expectations we have for ourselves. If we desire to be the best, we will never satisfy ourselves. Thankfully, that’s where Jesus enters the scene. Jesus comes into our lives and perfects the marred parts of our hearts. He makes us perfect in himself. What a comfort it is to be in communion with a God who loves each part of our bodies, minds, and hearts.

Sisters and brothers know that you are and will always be enough. Rest in these words from Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”