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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Been so very low lately, I really needed to hear Philllipians 4:13 today. Kind of rambled over hear through another site, God know I needed to.
Carol
The promise that spoke to me was this:
Philippians 1:6 – I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
My husband says he found his calling in high school. I have a wonderful mom who has been a SAHM for both mine and my sister’s entire lives. Since I was about 16 years old I aspired to be like my mom. A lot of people look down on people like my mother who don’t work outside the home. They don’t understand taking care of a home and children is a full-time job. Even though we don’t get paid, we work just as hard!! My husband and I are expecting our first child in October and I am blessed to stay home with her. I believe God is calling me to be her mother and to be the best wife and mother I can be. It is scary at times to think about becoming a parent, but I know God will be with us each step of the way.
Renee,
For as long as I can remember I have suffered from severe fatigue, low self esteem, perfectionism, anxiety and depression. All of my life I have constantly compared myself to other people. I have never felt pretty enough, smart enough, like a good enough daughter, friend, mother, etc… I am finally beginning to realize how all of this comparing and not feeling like I measure up may be contributing to all of the symptoms I have struggled with for so long. It is exhausting to have these thoughts running through your head all of the time! I actually felt a sense of relief and a renewed energy when I read your post. How freeing it is to realize that God doesn’t want me to be like all of these other people I have compared myself to for so long and that maybe I am good enough just the way HE Made me! Thank you, Renee, for giving me just what I needed to read today!
Thank you Renae for this book and for this timely encouragement. Many women in our society struggle with self-doubt and with the feelings of not measuring up. I am in Women’s Ministry and I am constantly reminded of the responsibility and the privilege as one who ministers to women in and outside the church walls. For over 20 years I have lead a weekly Bible study in my home to an average of 15 to 20 women of all ages, and every fall I facilitate a study in our church in addition to the one in my home. It has been my life’s joy to work with women and lead them in the study of God’s Word.
But lately I’m finding myself feeling unworthy and insecure in my position as a leader. I myself am going through a time of transition in my life – the upcoming empty nest in a few weeks when our youngest child goes off to college, my need to lose extra weight that holds me back, and my overwhelming doubt in my abilities as a wife, mother, friend, and minister to women. I don’t know what has happened to my confidence! I prayed this morning for God to reveal to me something to help me journey this path of uncertainty and I happened upon the title of your new book “A Confident Heart”. I know that God will use this book to help me gain the confidence I need to get through this season of self-doubt, to recogize the lies of Satan, and to claim the promises in God’s Word.
I just wanted to share how thankful I am for your obedience to the Lord, for offering a much-needed encouragement to so many of us gals that love the Lord and need a reminder of our worth and value in Him. I look forward to reading your book!
Thank you for your encouraging words. Everywhere I turn this week I am reading/hearing the same message:-)
This week at Church we looked at the verse in 1Cor which says that we are “enriched in Christ” in every way – what an amazing thought! I can look up and focus on how God sees me not on how I perceive myself to be. Our Pastor was reminding us that God sees us as a completed work of grace because He sees Christ’s righteousness covering us. Thank you for continuing this message from the Lord! God bless you.
I hear His promises and I pray that He would reveal His thoughts for me. It is easy to hear but so hard to embrace even when I desire wholeheartedly the truth of what GOd believes about me and not the lies the enemy speaks to me.
I have battled with confidence almost my whole life, the chain of negative thinking towards myself is so hard to break after years of abuse. I can’t wait to be free from my past and free to be who God has called me to be.
I ordered your book and can’t wait to begin it. I would love to share a copy with a girlfriend in God of mine so that we can encourage each other as we read it together. This is exactly what I have been in need of, for years. Thank you Renee! God bless you.
God has given me a very special ability of ministering to others through piano skills that He has developed in me. Yet I still have many moments of self-doubt that I struggle with. Thank you for the words of encouragement and the truths of scripture.
What a blessing it is to be reminded of whose I am and WHO I am IN CHRIST! You can’t believe how I have agonized and beaten up on myself over the past 25 years or so for not finishing college and even going back to finish over the years…..I have always compared my life to those of my friends who have their degrees and of whom I have envied for sticking it out and finishing school. I’ve even been too embarrassed to return to my high school reunions because I was the “girl most likely to succeed in high school” – only to get pregnant before the end of my senior year in high school and then drop out of college and not have what I considered a “professional life” to talk about @ high school reunions. Even though I was a cheerleader and homecoming queen, I felt so unworthy.
God has had to “heal” my mind for years and deal w/me about the role HE has played in my life and that HE is my TOTAL SOURCE and that I could have been a total failure even w/my college degree — but it’s because of HIS ABUNDANT MERCY, LOVE and GRACE that I have my being and existence — not a college diploma hanging on my office wall and yes, I have an office at work…..talk about HIS grace!
It is because of HIS mercy and compassion that we are not consumed—nothing else. That’s why I love serving Him and thank HIM daily for HIS deep love for me, in spite of feeling like I didn’t measure up to teachers, friends & family members expectations of me. God is so faithful!
This is such a need in my life right now. I have struggled with this my whole life. I was saved in 2008 and still consider myself a new Christian. I think Satan loves to prey on new Christians. I know that my doubts are his lies, yet I still hold back anyway. I am eager to get into your book and find out how to overcome this. I want to change this pattern in my life. Thank you so much!
I was catching up on my email devotions this morning, and WOW did this one speak to me! I’m so happy I found your blog and I can’t wait to read the book. Satan really has been filling my thoughts with doubt and making me focus on my flaws so often lately. I needed your words of wisdom today — thank you!
Thank you for your ministry in the area of confidence. As far back as I can remember I have believed I was a “second-class person”….not good enough….never measuring up…mostly to what I thought were other peoples’ expectations….expectations that likely were never there except in my own mind. I still struggle with this at times….when I let my focus stray away from God. The promise that spoke most to me is “I am God’s workmanship.” The Master Craftsman created me in a wonderful way Psalm 139:13-16. I am loved and accepted by the One who matters most.
Hi Renee! Thank you for your encouragement on your posts. I also enjoyed your talk with Ann on her porch the other day! I was touched by Philippians 1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.I am definitely a work in progress and can feel and see the change in my heart in regard to so many things in my life, but my insecure side still wonders how He will complete the good work He started in me, as I feel I’m moving in baby steps sometimes. I want to continue to move forward by looking “upward.” Thank you, look forward to reading your book.
Hi Renee,
Thank you for delivering God’s Word. The verse that I needed to hear again and be reminded of was 1 Tim. 2:7 We have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
You are right about putting our focus on Who God says we are. Because the devil, and all those who have been deceived, always want to remind us how we don’t measure up, but as we continue to look on Jesus and Who he says we are, we are transformed from glory to glory.
God’s Word is the truth, and the longer we abide in it, the firmer our steps and actions. I am reminded of another verse in Proverbs, “The righteous are as bold as the lion…”
Thank you for cementing my faith and identity in Christ
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
Here lately that truth hasn’t felt so true. I don’t necessarily feel like I am in “in the desert” but I do feel like I am in a far off country. It’s easy to know something in your head, but when it doesn’t feel true in your everyday life, well, you start to go down roads you might have to struggle to come back up.
Satan would have me believe that my connection with God is “down” at the moment, and it feels like I am spending so much time telling him it’s not, that I can’t do anything to figure out what is really going on.
I definitely need daily reminders of my acceptance, security, and significance. Because of my past, I usually feel very insecure and I still have a strong wall around my heart. Though I don’t feel worthy, I have ordered the Confident Heart book already and plan to lead a women’s group in the fall. (If I happen to win the give away, the book will then go to one of the ladies who sign up for my group.) I hope that, though my lack of confidence, I can grow and help the women who may be in my group to grow to be more confident in God and his promises.
Thank you, Renee. I can’t wait to read the whole book (read the sample chapter).
Renee thank you so much! I am new to your website, your ministry is much needed. I am the last of eight. I remember being very young, 3 or 4 and my brother and sisters making mean comments to me and about me. “I was a change of life baby (my mom was 40 when I was born) so something was really wrong with me.” I was told that all my life by my brothers and sisters. Recently as I was praying for healing about something else(or so I thought); the good Lord spoke to my heart. He told me that there was nothing wrong me or who I am. He told me I was wrong to think and feel “broken”, or not good enough. I was reminded of all the scriptures that speak of my acceptance by God. I was also reminded that I am a child of God, a member of His royal household. What a relief to finnally feel, completley, truley accepted by God and to accept myself warts and all. I have 10 year old twin girls and am a single mom. I now have the confidence to lead them better. I am so grateful that God is the head of our household. Thank you again for your obedience in doing your ministry!
Reading this entry made me realize that I have allowed Satan to creep in and full my mind with lies. I’m looking forward to reading your book!
I’m definitely having a “not measuring up” day. But for me that’s a good thing. It means I DO understand my place in God’s creation. In John 15, it’s pretty strongly worded that we are nothing — see John 15: 4 (No branch can bear fruit by itself), John 15:5 (apart from me you can do nothing). So why not just acknowledge that I’m nothing? Makes it easier to do what God calls us to do in John 15:13 (and throughout the Bible): lay down our lives. Because if our life isn’t worth anything, it’s much easier to lay it down.
So “who told you something is wrong with you?” answer would be Jesus–we have a heart problem and an impotence problem. I’m not sure why we need confidence–what we need is to depend on Jesus for everything. What we need is to be willing to be used by Him to do HIS will and HIS purpose, not ours.
Timely timely word as I’m struggling with a lot right now….
It’s so easy to feel like I don’t measure up…as a wife, as a mother, as a woman, as a friend. I could go on and on.
When I was little, the thought of not measuring up never occurred to me about myself or others – until the teen years, when all you do is compare yourself to everyone else…and someone always says you come up short…your friends, the media, those who don’t like you for whatever reason.
As an adult, I may “know better” about letting little insecurities get to me like they did when I was a teen, and I am more confident in most ways than I was as a teen, but boy can certain things still get to me – like seeing a friend from way back who looks fantastic when I feel like I have gained weight or my hair doesn’t look good lately; or reading how easily some women lose weight when I struggle with this; or hearing about business or personal victories from those around me that I haven’t experienced myself. These things all make me feel small, and I have to remind myself that these notions of not measuring up aren’t from God at all, but from the Enemy who just wants me to feel like God doesn’t work in my life and I’m not worth anything.
It’s a lie that I replace daily with God’s truths and love. That’s the only thing that chases back these ridiculous thoughts and feelings.