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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You are such an awesome angel of God for bringing this to those of us who so many times feel that we are not good enough in anything we so desperately try to do. I get so drained by giving, giving and giving some more that I don’t even know who I am anymore. But you have reminded me to stay close and listen to God and he will direct my paths. Many Blessings!!
I would be so honored to win this gift. I am also amazed at how just at the right time God knows just what we need and when, I should not be because He is awesome and powerful, but It still awes me… HE IS GOOD ALL THE TIME>
A new employe has been having difficulties and like me relies on God’s Grace to guide, lift and walk with us.
I found this to be exactly what “we” need to remember when we feel we are trying so much yet feeling “less” than others expectations. Thank you.
Wow!!! This meassage is exactly what i needed this morning in all areas of my life. At times i find all of my attetion on one area of my life and my BEST has slacked in other areas. To help with this i pray for this alot. Stay grounded in God’s Word daily. Keep my self accountable. God is the only one who knows what my BEST is. I dont truly know what my BEST is until to try. Thanks ladies
what a daily struggle i have trying to please everyone. As secretary of my church, i try to make everyone happy wearing myself to a thin frazzle only to realize i cannot do it. it’s a great privilege to serve my church family but. during difficult days of struggle between church members i find myself getting caught in the cross fires and feel anxious, defeated, discouraged and ineffective for the Kingdom. As i try to minister to women in my life these struggles i keep hidden deep inside are only chains tightened by the enemy to keep from maybe helping someone else who may be struggling in similar ways. I have both of these amazing books, but there is one particular friend in my life who desperately could use these. What a great gift it would be for her. love you and your ministry. it’s been a huge help in my walk. 🙂
“Been there; done that; got the t-shirt” as they say. Knowing I let someone down despite my best efforts was a tough confession to make. I, too, have always been harder on myself than others, but this time I knew I had really screwed up. I had hoped for understanding; a little compassion, but instead was reminded that I had failed…at least in the eyes of man. The Lord knew I did what I thought was best. I was wrong, I admitted it, and took responsibility. Still the thought haunts me at times…it’s just the Evil One trying to make me lose faith, but I know, too, that “when I am weak, I am strong” because the Lord is with me…holding me up, carrying me when necessary, and always, always, always there to love me. For that, I am so grateful. Love and blessings to all.
I am blessed every time I read your devotions. Seems to always be what I need. Thank you for using your beautiful gift of writing to bless and encourage others!
I tend to be so much harder on myself than on others. People’s unrealistic expectations of me can leave me beating myself up.Feelings of not being good enough is Satan’s playground for me as well.
This is just what I needed to hear this morning. All week I’ve been running on empty setting things up for my son to get back in school after HE was the one who made a poor choice. I had to trust no matter what happened I had to trust God and pray. Ultimately, its my son who has free will to choose his path, and I trust God Agapes him more than I ever could! I felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulders and my son was never grateful. He always wants money etc. Today he asked again and I after husband said no because he is not budgeting his money. Told him no. He said he wouldn’t go to a drs appointment I just set up for after school today to get him back on important medications. This was very hard for me to do as I have boundary issues and I felt bad but I know it was my best yes as he needs to be more responsible. If I keep rescuing him he is only going to keep taking from me emotionally, spiritually, and physically ( I have a chronic illness that flares up with stress). So thank you for this post via my email, God Bless you!!
I have struggled with the feelings of not being good enough for ever. This was an awesome message. I now cling to “My best is good enough for God even if it is not good enough for others!” Thank YOU!!
I tend to lose site of this often. God is the only one that matters and not others and what they think. Beautiful devotion to help stay on the right path that God has for you. Thank you for sharing! Love your work!
Thank God I’m not the only one who has these kind of days; these kind of feelings.
More times than not lately I have felt so worthless. On the job, at home, socializing and yes, even in church. I just feel like every time I open my mouth, the wrong things flow out—I never seem to say the right things. I never seem to DO the right things. Even things I may feel good about, someone else comes along and makes me feel bad about it. Never the right things by other peoples standards. I put so much time and effort into everything; and it is never good enough. These are the days I really have to seek God. I have to be in His Word. I have to constantly be in prayer. Thank you so much for this devotion. It hit real close to my heart.
Beautiful writing of a beautiful truth: Ian not a failure just because I sometimes fail. I’m approaching 2 years at my new company and sometimes I still feel like I should have done more or handled more even though I know I’m doing my best. Your list of what to work through is so valuable, thank you!
I am currently finding my way back to God after a 14 year hiatus. I am also the single mother of 2 beautiful young ladies, age 8 and 15. I feel like I am constantly in a battle with my 15 year old and that I am never good enough. I have been really working on my relationship with God and sometimes I feel like I fall short of him too! I am thankful that I was raised in a good Christian home where even now after so long of not talking to God, I can still hear him in my heart. Whenever these thoughts try to invade my head, I pray pray pray!
Dearest Renee, your devotional this morning is very beautiful, uplifting, and most certainly gives me a new view. I’ve been through so much, as I feel most of us have, but have so much faith that God’s a plan. One that we can not see, so I keep walking trusting fully in Him.
Ah, yes…trying to come to terms with criticism that too often develops into self criticism.
As a HIGH SCHOOL teacher I put on the board at the beginning of the year…”Your Best is Good Enough” and then when a project didn’t meet the standards or looked surprisingly like a total failure, that is the only question I would ask (though with much observation I already knew) “did you do your best?
I judged accordingly….and so does the Lord….! It’s in Him I find my peace or my conviction and I go from there. Jean
This devotion was so timely for me. I am a people pleaser and my thoughts can run wild when I think about what others may think of me. I want to be approved by others. Your devotion was a great reminder of God’s promises for me. I am approved by God and that’s what matters. Thank you!!
I have, too often, let the evil one swoop in and take my thoughts to those places where we wallow – “my project didn’t come out as I planned, I’m no good at this…”
I am blessed to be surrounded by a core of believers at work…and they help me out of that pit. PLUS, when they’re in that same pit, I can witness to them.
I needed to be reminded of this today.
Loved this devotion, Renee! I love that the answer to all of life’s troubles is to delve into the Word of God and seek Gods truth. I only wish I could remember this when I am in these kinds of situations! I am getting better at remembering who I am, a totally, unconditionally loved, imperfect child of the one true God and that alone gives great comfort and peace!