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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This is so powerful to remember. I am great at taking negative comments and reducing myself to the smallest size! I often forget to look to Lord for clarity and love in those dark moments. Thank you for blessing my day Renee!
This is such a timely Word for me! After being successful at weight loss and gaining most of the weight back, I have known for quite some time that it is time to get serious about a lifestyle change…rather than just dieting. I made the decision to return to the gym. I have been procrastinating. I would much rather return when I can do more, have lost more. I want to be able to do what I used to do…run, full hour of zumba, push ups, sit ups, etc. So many days, weeks, and months have gone by because I couldn’t bring myself to go and do less. However, I decided that today is the day. I almost talked myself out of it several times. But I kept feeling that nudge and encouragement from the Holy Spirit that I can do this. Well…I did it! And I feel great. I know now that I only need to endeavor to do my “BEST” each and every time I get on the treadmill, bicycle or whatever else equipment that calls my name each time I enter the door. Today…I did my very best (which was a little more than I anticipated). Tomorrow…yes I am making the commitment to return in the morning…I plan to do even better!
Thank you for this inspiring post. I often doubt my abilities and the enemy uses my low self-esteem to whisper lies into my mind. Every day and every moment I have to set my mind on choosing God’s truth and to not give in to my emotions.
I have started homeschooling my two children recently in obedience to God’s calling for my life. I feel like the enemy is literally on the prowl, waiting to devour me. But there is hope: encouraging words, biblical truth, a chat with a friend, a hug from my kids…These are the things I cling to, they help me to take it one day at a time to give my best for The Lord.
I am a mom with a 22 year old handicapped daughter…I can really relate with the feeling of not good enough. I do continue to turn to the Lord and He never fails me. What an Awesome God we serve. Debbie
Thank you so much for this devotional!! I needed this today.
I constantly feel as though I should hold myself to a higher standard. Challenge is what motivates me, yet also causes me to take on too much. So when others feel as though I’ve not given enough or been good enough I tend to take it too personally.
Meant to say “like” today’s devo.
Struggling with cancer 8 plus yrs. and weariness sets in some days. I want to give up on those days, but then I read something that encourages me, lime today’s devo. Thank you for it and for the chance to win this bundle.
I love how God sends me just the right words just in the right time. I struggle with such horrible depression and the enemy temps me into the darkness But then Jesus sets with me and brings me back to the light.
Wow today this really hit me where I am. I get the Proverbs 31 devotional every morning and I skim it and go on but today for some reason I took the time to really sit and read and take it in. I have lived through that and felt like i should just give up. Thank you Lord for pushing and pulling me on. What you said about evaluating logically and then admitting what happened to all and making changes gives me the courage to say I need to make changes and step back.
This Word spoke to me, thank you. I struggle at times with I had done the best I could, my best wasn’t good enough. But it didn’t mean I wasn’t good enough. It just meant I needed to make some truth-filled assessments and wisdom based adjustments! I needed this, I tend to be hardest on me. I so desire to take care of me, God’s way.
God is faithful! This devotion encouraged me to leave my burdens with Jesus. My family has been struggling with a horrific situation that involves loved ones living in a different place.
I am an older worker amongst younger people in my job. My job requires that I give speedy service to my clients. I have never been a person who is known for speed when I was younger, much less now. I pray everyday that God gives me the strength to carry on and deal with criticism on my job. I keep Phillipians 4:13 by my bedside to remind I can do all things through Christ who strenghens me and I get up early and do my devotionals everyday to give me peace and carry me throughj my day. I know what it is like to not feel good enough and feel encouraged by the blog today. May God bless you and continually help with your work and life.
I see all the pain from the comments and im ashamed of myself . My problems are so small compared the others. Jesus said ” Get the hence behind me satan” . We have power over our enemies cause Jesus said so. Thank you Renee for this inspiration and thank you commenters for showing me My situations in life are my own fault for letting the devil tell me lies….. Ill wait on the LORD ….
Angel
This devotional spoke directly to me. When I make a mistake, when I disappoint others or myself, I can spend too much time hashing and re-hashing the details and making excuses. It is SO helpful to remember that the devil is just waiting for these opportunities to get my eyes on myself and off The Lord. Thank you for the outlined plan to deal with such a circumstance.
My son has a speech disorder that requires a lot of speech therapy. Oftentimes, I feel like I’m not good enough b/c he’s not speaking at the same level as his peers. I battle the critical thoughts of feeling like I’m letting my son down on a daily basis. This is a good reminder that God will accomplish what concerns me (Psalm 138:8). Amen to that! Thanks for sharing this biblical perspective! What a source of encouragement!
God knew i needed to read this and it spoke to my current situation. I tend to overbook myself and when i crash and burn i let the enemies lies drag me down to a state of depression. I choose to believe Gods Word and speak his promises over my life. I will start making those lists to help me unclutter my mind and see the truth over the lies and make wiser decisions. Thank you for letting Jesus use you to speak life to others in your daily devotional blog.
Thank you for renee for your post today. I received your message in my inbox through Proverbs 1 ministries. It is exactly what I needed to hear and you explained it perfectly. I’m mother of six kids I just went back to work full time after being home with my babies for years. My husband is unemployed and struggling with depression . lately all I’ve known is that my best isn’t good enough and I also know that God is trying everywhere and anywhere to remind me that he loves me and I am good enough. But until reading your message today I haven’t been able to figure out how to live knowing that I’m good enough for God but my best isn’t enough to handle all that’s going on in my life. I look forward to trying your technique of listing out the three different kinds of truths and I’m confident it will help me break the cycle of listening to God until eventually I give in to feelings of inadequacy. Thank you for giving me new tools to fight the enemy today. Maybe someone can pray for me to remember those tools when I need them most.
This is definitely a devotion that women in general need to hear. I think we all tend to have moments of doubt and “not measuring up”. I can be so hard on myself when there is absolutely no need. I can do well in others’ eyes and STILL doubt myself and feel like it wasn’t enough. Why do I hold myself to such high standards when all that really matters is pleasing the Lord and remembering that I am good enough in His eyes? I don’t know, but it is something that I am working on to change, by pouring into God’s truth and really listening to Him and applying His promises to my life. Thank you so much for this great reminder.
This reading certainly gave me perspective this morning. I’m struggling to get my business going since we have moved several hundred miles away. I also had 2 emergency surgeries in May, immediately after unpacking and organizing a new home. My upline wants more from me and my energy is low. Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to my limitations and helping me reaffirm my strength lies in You.