Ever feel like someone is telling you that you can’t measure up? That something is wrong with you?
If so, have you ever stopped to ask, “Who is saying these things? Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Is there something from my past that led me to believe this? Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?”
Satan is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). Oh how he loves when we believe his deception and fall into the ditractions of feeling inadequate and insecure.
The meaning of the word lie is “a falsehood with the intent to deceive.” Satan intends to deceive us and he does so by getting us to take our eyes off of who we are in Christ and focus on our flaws. That way we’ll spend our days figuring out how we can hide them. It’s exactly what he did with Eve:
“Then the eyes of both [Adam and Eve] were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’
He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’” (Gen. 3:7–11)
In response, God asked who told them they were naked. In other words, “Who told you that something is wrong with you?” By asking this, God made sure they knew someone was casting shame on them—and it wasn’t Him.
The enemy whispered lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and from each other.
Satan’s intent is the same for you and me as it was for Eve, but we don’t have to go along with him. Instead we can refute his lies and temptations with truth. If we have put our trust in Christ as our Savior, we can stand on the promises of who we are in Him.
In his book, Victory Over the Darkness, Dr. Neil T. Anderson says, “The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity!” Here is a compilation of Scriptures Dr. Anderson’s ministry created to remind us of who we are in Christ.
I am accepted . . .
- John 1:12 I am God’s child.
- John 15:15 I am a friend of Jesus Christ, as His disciple.
- Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
- 1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
- 1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.
- Ephesians 1:3–8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
- Hebrews 4:14–16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
I am secure . . .
- Romans 8:1–2 I am free from condemnation.
- Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
- Romans 8:31–39 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.
- 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
- Colossians 3:1–4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
- Philippians 1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
- Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
- 1 John 5:18 I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.
I am significant . . .
- John 15:5, I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
- John 15:16, I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16, I am God’s temple.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
- Ephesians 2:6, I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
- Ephesians 2:10, I am God’s workmanship.
- Ephesians 3:12, I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
- Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Which one of these promises did you need to hear most today? What lie do you need to replace with truth 
as you reaffirm your significance, security and acceptance based not on what you say or do, but on what Jesus said and did for you!
When you’re tempted to measure up today, focus “up” instead and remember Whose you are and who you are – in Him!
Slip me a note and let me know what’s on your heart as you read this and/or my devotion through Proverbs 31 Ministries today. Simply click on “share your thoughts” below this post and your note will be placed in the drawing for our…
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Thank you for sharing this with me today! I sent this to all of my girlfriends, you are such a blessing. Thanks, Charlotte
If I fall and cannot lift myself up,
Will not the Lord carry me
If I cry out and cannot lift my head
Will not the Lord comfort me
If I cannot see the way and I am blinded
Will not the Lord hold my hand and guide me
If I hear nothing but silence
Will not the Lord speak to me
If I am weak,
Will not the Lord be strong and encourage me
If I am not worthy,
Will not the Lord be my Worth
If I am not measuring up
Will not the Lord be my help
If I am broken,
Will not the Lord mend my heart
For He is Lord, ever-present
His lovingkindness and mercy overwhelms me.
For I will be always thankful for His goodness. ~joyce
I have been on your 7 day doubt diet and I cant wait for your book, ” The Confident Heart ” to be released. I would love to do the study in September, please continue to send emails to keep me updated.
Your book should be in the hands of every women, Gods word can change our thoughts, and we can grow confident in his word.
June Livingstone
I think that is so key to know who’s voice is doing the talking….something I am currently working on. I love all the scripture references you gave. Thank you so key being in His word …rooted in it. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. Mary
oh my goodness……I am so there!! There are many days I feel totally paralyzed by the grip of the inadequate lie. Thank you for this devotional! I am very excited that you will be coming to Women’s Day Away in OH in September!!!!! I can’t wait to hear more and hopefully get your book. Thanks again. Kelley S.
What great truths and encouragement for today! As a stay-at-home wife and mom and as a young pastor’s wife, I daily feel I don’t measure up. Being reminded that Eve had it all and thought the same was eye-opening this morning. I pray these truths you shared will help me and my sisters in Christ. Blessings.
Good Morning Renee. Thanks again for your words of encouragement. Our family has been in a deep valley for three years now and the one thing I have been questioning is – where is God in all of this? Your Romand 8:28 – I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances, really hit me. I have seen God working in our lives these past three years, but sometimes as we cry out – it seems he completely ignores us. I’m pretty sure things are going to be turning around for us soon and it is pretty amazing how everything is unfolding. Only our great God Almighty can work these plans out. We will continue to trust and obey.
Thank you so much for writing a book like this! I’ve always believed the lies that I’m not good enough and that I don’t deserve good things. Hopefully through reading this book, I can break free from that negative thinking.
Hi, Renee.
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I’m rebuilding my self-esteem and self worth after a marital breakdown with a man who was emotionally neglectful. I’m also looking at sharing what I have learned about value as God sees me, which I’m still learning, with teen girls with the hope of preventing them from getting pregnant and involved with “the wrong guy”.
I tried to buy 3 of your books through the P31 website, but got the message that they didn’t ship to my address, so I guess I’ll go through Amazon. Looking forward to reading and learning and sharing your book with a couple of friends.
In Him,
Darlene (Kemptville, Ontario, Canada)
Thank you Renee and Thank you Lord God Almighty!! I am beginning this 7day doubt diet today! It’s really hard sometimes to diet 🙂 but I know this is what the Lord desires from me.. to have a more confident heart <3 I wish I could find a friend who would commit to doing this study with me, but even so… I will keep this commitment. Thank you for your leadership and encouragement.
This spoke so strongly to me today. Thank you for you encouraging words. The Lord is really using you!
Today I have been focused on the fact that God cares about everything in my life, even the seemingly insignificant details. It is such an encouragement to know that even when my cat runs off, God knows. And He is there to comfort me and then to bring the cat back. My faith has been increased as I see God answer even the smallest of needs.
…so need these reminders…ALL THE TIME!
Phillipians 1:6
2 Timothy 1:7
Satan has been working overtime on my mind…fear, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy, exhaustion…Thank you for being faithful in your work of bringing God’s word to women’s hearts.
🙂 rhea
Rom 8:28-A dear sister in Christ affirmed what I feel I’ve been living the past few years, that I am a modern day Job. My youngest son (2) died quickly and unexpectedly last March. He was diagnosed in utero with hydrocephalus but every day with him was so amazing, a true gift of God. But with that being my last biggest trial, I also have a son with severe behavior issues related to his Autism, two other children and a marriage that is failing. Through it all I have continued to put my hope in the Lord and continue to trust Him despite my circumstances.
Such comforting and encouraging Scriptures! I think I will try to start memorizing them!
Just got done checking my email and came across this devotion at what could not have been a better time. The past two days I have been battling it out with some insecurities. I have even been praying for God to show me how this icky feelings of insecurity could be taken out of my heart. He answered my prayer through you today. Thank you for sharing this just when I needed it most.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me. Actually All the scriptures are sooo good. We constantly need to be reminded of Gods Love for us. It is good to keep pouring “Truth” into our spirits. We are accepted, significant and secure in him who adores us. What an awesome Abba Father we have. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you for sharing this message. I especially appreciatte the scriptures that tells us the Truth for each lie the enemy says about us. I struggle with many of these liesToday the most meaningful was ■Philippians 1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
I am so excited to read you book. Every day I battle that need to be reminded that I am a child of God. Every single day those doubts and past hurts creep into my thought patterns and I need to fight them off. Thank for these wonderful reminders.
Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. This is one of my favorite verses. I can’t wait for your book to come out and have been waiting all summer. I will share my copy with a friend that really needs this encouragement.