Encouragement for Today

November 9, 2023 If You’re Feeling “Not Good Enough” Today … LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español

“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 (NIV)

The party sounded amazing. The people I’d heard were going were easy to be with, incredibly fun, and all had mad skills in the kitchen. And when I saw the invitation posted on a friend’s refrigerator, I smiled at the creative brilliance.

The only problem was I didn’t get one.

I’d checked my mailbox for days.

Every time I walked down the driveway empty-handed, I assured my sinking heart that my mail is always one or two or seven days behind everyone else’s. No big deal.

But three days before the party, when the invite still hadn’t arrived, I ran out of assurance. I lost the pep in my rally. And I realized I was, in fact, not on the guest list.

Immediately, the thought that hopped on me and stuck with super-glue tenacity was: I’m not good enough.

And then I felt pathetic. I didn’t want to, but I did.

Middle-school insecurity had returned for an unwelcome visit, bringing with it all the wonky feelings wrapped up in I’m not good enough.

I seriously thought that by this point in my life, these feelings would have been but a vague memory in my distant past. So why was it still an option for a grown woman like me to feel like the lonely middle-school girl who never got asked to the dance?

I kept pondering that statement sitting in my heart: I'm not good enough. And finally, I had a slight breakthrough.

“Good enough” is a terrible statement. Nobody ever wants their friends to say, “Well, I mean, you’re good enough.” I would never want my boss or my kids to just say, “You are good enough.” No child would ever want their parents to say, “You’re good enough.”

Absolutely not.

We’re better than good enough. God made us to be people who learn and explore and create and give and delight and love. He made us full of potential and purpose. He tucked His full wonder inside us so we could help others find our God to be wonderful.

He made us to reach out, not pull back.

He made us to believe the best before assuming the worst.

He made us to freely give grace, realizing we so desperately need it ourselves.

He made us to add goodness to the world, see the beautiful, and rest in the assurance of His lavish love for us.

Never ever, not for one second, did God look at us and say, My goal is for this one to be simply good enough. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

So I wasn’t invited to the party. But not because I wasn’t good enough.

After this realization, I decided to see that gift of time as a special invitation from the Lord to get alone with Him. Dream with Him. Be loved by Him. Draw near to Him. Be held by Him. Like James 4:8a says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you” (ESV).

Whatever is making you feel “not good enough” today, whether it’s because of a recent rejection or something else, read these words: With Jesus, we’re forever safe. Forever accepted. Forever held. Completely loved and always invited in. Life with Jesus is a great love story. He isn’t a magic genie we occasionally run to for a little dose of divine help. He is the One who stills us, quiets us, wipes away our exhaustion and whispers:

Your soul was made simply to be with Me. And the more you are with Me, the more you will stop fearing what the world might take from you. With Me, you are free to be you. The real you. The you whose core is in alignment with My Truth. The you who doesn’t fear imperfections or rejections because grace has covered those in the loveliest of ways.

Receive these words, friend. Believe them with all your heart. Indeed, you are so very loved.

Dear Lord, thank You so much for Your love. A love that always welcomes. A love that doesn’t reject or neglect. I am choosing today to rest and delight in the truth of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

To the woman who is facing something hard or who desperately needs an encounter with Jesus … you’re invited to the You’re Going to Make It Tour happening RIGHT NOW with Lysa TerKeurst, Hope Darst, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle, Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Director of Theological Research! Everything they’ve dreamed up for these special one-night events was planned with you in mind. This tour is happening until November 19, and tickets are almost gone, so make plans to attend with a friend, and purchase today!

ENGAGE

Find real-life encouragement when you connect with Lysa TerKeurst here on Instagram.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 139:17-18, “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you” (NIV).

What is making you feel “not good enough” today? How do these verses remind you what God thinks of you? Read all of Psalm 139 for more.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2023 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.