Why is it that women never really believe that we are enough? Actually, that is only half of the time. The other half, we think that we're too much. How can someone really be too much and not enough at the same time? Why do we buy into this lie? Why are we all so insecure that we somehow think we can never measure up, no matter what the standard?
Am I enough? Am I too much? Am I worth it?
I'm pretty sure these questions resonate with every woman, no matter how strong or wise or beautiful. It doesn't matter how "put together" she seems. While reading the book, Captivating by Stasi and John Eldredge, I discovered that all women tend to lean toward one extreme or the other. We either strive, or we hide.
Those who strive are the one's who believe they aren't enough, but are determined to become enough or appear that they are enough. These are the ones who live at the gym or are obsessed with their homes being spotless. They are the one's who bury themselves in their work or spend hours getting ready in the morning. Look perfect, be perfect, appear perfect. Work for it, run for it, strive for it.
Then there are those of us who hide. They believe they're not enough or that they're too much (or maybe both). Instead of working overtime to make themselves enough, they give up. They would rather stay home and hide. They feel alone, but then they choose to be alone. These women are more noticably insecure.
I used to think I was just a hider, but I have learned that I am (like many women) a mixture of the two. I strive to appear perfect, but on the inside I feel like a hider. How do we stop these intense insecurities? How do move past them and see ourselves the way Christ sees us?
I believe the first step is to realize that these feelings of unworthiness are lies. LIES. And they are straight from the father of lies! Satan knows that women are a huge threat to him. We are the heart! We are the heart of our churches, of our families, of our friendship groups, of THE church in general, of our workplaces, of any type of ministry. Satan knows this. He knows that if he can destroy the heart, the rest of the body cannot function. Even if he simply weakens the heart, it will affect the entire body. I pray that we, as women of God, will see who we really are, who God has truly made us to be. We are precious jewels in God's hand! We are treasures that are already treasured by the Father.
Lord, help us to recogize Satan for who he is and reject his hideous lies! Open our spiritual eyes so that we can see how unbelievably precious we are to you. Change us so that our thoughts are like your thoughts and our eyes see what you see. Thank you God!
"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God."
Isaiah 62:1-3
