Have you ever gotten that awful pit-in-your-stomach feeling after finding out you let someone down?
It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me as I read through an email from a client, sent to my manager and forwarded to me, describing how I had let some details fall through the cracks on a project.
A horrible sense of discouragement and embarrassment moved in for the kill.
In the past, I would have welcomed my uninvited critical thoughts to stay a while, resigned to the fact that I must be unable to do anything right!
But not this time; too many hurtful experiences had taught me to recognize failure as an opportune time for my opponent, the devil, to devour me with feelings of inadequacy and shame. This enemy is bent on making me believe that when my best isn’t good enough, I’m not good enough.
Fortunately, times of pain have also included hours of poring over God’s promises, gathering wisdom to deal with this unwelcome intruder. I have learned to be alert to the devil’s schemes and ready to stand against them. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, Peter tells us how:
“Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. Be firm in the faith and resist him, knowing that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
After reading the email and letting my thoughts run wild for a few minutes, I knew I had to clear my mind. I asked the Holy Spirit to help me un-clutter my thoughts with the clarity of truth from logistical, circumstantial and spiritual points of view….
Read the rest of this story and what happened in my Encouragement for Today on the Proverbs 31 Ministries blog. But BEFORE YOU go…
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How to ENTER: She your thoughts about today’s devotion OR how you’ve walked through needing to remember your best is in good enough in God’s eyes even when it’s not good enough in the eyes of others.
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This message truly blessed me today. I struggle with parenting our 9 year-old son. I feel like a failure when I lose my temper with him. I pray for God to remove my shortcomings of anger and resentment, but I just keep losing it and then I feel defeated again. My husband reminds me that the devil is trying to rip our family apart. Your message confirms this, the Word confirms it. I just need to believe and keep praying. “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, as Dorie said…”
My self esteem is where Satan gets me every time. I’ve struggled with being good enough all my life. It’s about time I take back my life and giving Satan a swift kick in the rear is my first step. I want peace back in my life. I want my faith to consume me so that there’s no room for Satan to enter back in to tear me down. What an encouraging message you had today. I’m writing down all the verses, sticking them to my mirror and making it a point to memorize them all. Your words were a blessing to me. Thank you.
Thank you. I needed this reminder as my mother is the one that makes comments that I don’t measure up to her expectations. Even though I’m an adult, the devil reminds me of my shortcomings and her comments. I need to rely on God’s Word more.
This message is what i needed to hear this morning. Too often I try to put my best foot forward to please others, but yet I always feel like my best is never good enough. The enemy then starts to work in me and bring doubt and discouragement. But I thank God for being there to reassure me that I am his child, and that he loves and cares about me.
Sometime our sincere intended best is not good enough, depending on whom or what we are encountering.
Thankfully, God knows our hearts and good intentions, which gives me comfort and hope.
When we are over clouded or over whelmed, the enemy often time uses our weakness to simply devour us.
However, satan was defeated from the very beginning and is yet defeated when he comes up against God’s
children.
Truly enjoyed this devotion, how very uplifting . . . .
I feel like every morning, the Lord knows exactly what I need to read. These devotionals always hit home with me and help me to get a better look at things I might overlook if I hadn’t taken the time to read my morning devotional. I need to learn that MY best is always sufficient. I am such a people pleaser that I often fret too much over making everyone happy and being perfect for THEM, when I really need to worry about being the best me for Him.
Too often I allow the enemy to steal my joy in this area. When I fail at something – I feel like a failure. God is speaking to my heart and showing me that what I do or don’t do is not who I am. I am going to make my list and strive to let Gods words speak to me, not the enemy. With Gods help, I pray I continue to grow in this area as I know this is where God is currently pruning me. Thank you Lord for this devotion on this day, you know exactly what I need and when I need it.
This message spoke to my heart. I am a people pleaser – but often fail in my attempts. I know that my self talk needs to change, to be more encouraging and uplifting to ME – so I can be the person I want to be for myself, and to be seen differently by others.
Saw your blog for the first time today. I know God sent me here because it was just what I needed to hear today. Thank you for devoting your time and energy to sharing this blog with us. God Bless You!
I tend to be a perfectionist and constantly feel like my best isn’t good enough. I’m always struggling to meet my own standards so this is an ongoing journey for me. I have learned to continually remind myself that God loves me as I am and created me to be who I am. Thank you for sharing this. It was what I needed to hear today.
This devotional couldn’t have come at a better time. I feel I struggle with “not being good enough” on a daily bases! In all areas of my life. Thanks for reminding me that everything I do is for the glory of God and not what someone else thinks.
I’m in university and it’s so easy to get bogged down and listen to Satan’s lies of ‘not being good enough’ or ‘you’re not smart enough for this’ but it’s such a relief to know that God believes in me no matter what. He thinks I can do this.
Thank you for today’s devotional. I really needed to hear that. Sometimes I forget that others – especially us ladies of God – go through the same things I do.
no matter what age either
I liked the part that says: “my best wasn’t good enough. But it didn’t mean I wasn’t good enough.”. Thank you for that reminder. Just yesterday Satan was trying to devour me. These daily encouragements get me back on track. The Lord knew I need to hear it. God Bless!
Satan often tries to tell me that I was not good enough or I didnt try hard enough with my kids dad. But then God is there to remind me i did do the best I knew how at the time. I am so greatful for Gods reassurance that I am good enough and I am worth it.
This devotional spoke volumes to me at this time in my life. It was like it was written just for me. My plate is full. I’m trying to let go of the things I can’t control. I feel like I’ve tried my best in the situation that I’m in. But I’ve let some of the people that are closest to me down. I would love to win a copy of these books. Thank you.
I think most women feel as if we fall short on a daily basis. The question is, what do we fall short of AND more importantly, whose expectations are we trying to live up to? I know that in the midst of walking through a very difficult season in my life, God revealed to me that He is enough and that as long as I am giving life my best effort and walking in His will, then I am truly meeting the ONLY expectations the really matter.
This email spoke to me because I too have allowed failures to recriminate myself when I make mistakes especially when it affects others. I especially like the process you outlined for getting perspective.
Being a pastors wife, we are sometimes held to different standards. Thank you for the continued grounding and reminder that my Lord is always with me, even during those rough times.
I love when the Lord speaks to me through daily devotionals. Today was one of those days. I tend to hold myself to a high standard, so when I make a mistake, I feel like a failure. It was great to be reminded that my best is great in the Lord’s eyes.
I have enjoyed your devotionals, they are so encouraging. especially when I have bad days. I don’t always look to my bible for encouragement. but do read devotinals. i am so glad that our lord sees us for who we are other then what others seem to think we should be.