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May 31, 2013
God, Are You Enough? |
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV 1984)
God, are You enough? It's a question my circumstances bring me to quite often.
Over a lifetime I've concluded not only is God enough, but He has to be enough.
It takes effort on my part to make sure my heart is staying in this truth.
As a young child, I didn't realize my need for God, but I did realize I had a need that was not fulfilled. I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. My dad moved out of our home when I was eleven. Both circumstances left me devastated, and I didn't understand then how God could ever heal my broken heart. So I spent many years trying to heal myself and make myself feel better.
Nothing was enough to meet my needs. Nothing worked.
As I grew older, I moved from being a Christian who simply believed, to becoming a Christian actively seeking and following Jesus. That was when my life began to change.
Because I was having direct conversations with God through prayer and consistently reading His Word, my faith grew. I learned that when the hard knocks came, and they would, I needed to ask one question: "God, are You enough?"
When a friend betrays me, "God, are You enough?"
When I need to forgive what seems unforgivable, "God, are You enough?"
When my child has issues out of my control, "God, are You enough?"
When my marriage is on the brink of destruction, "God, are You enough?"
When my mom is dying of cancer, "God, are You enough?"
When others don't recognize my value, "God, are You enough?"
When I struggle professionally, "God, are You enough?"
When someone I love uses words to hurt me, "God, are You enough?"
When I am in debt and don't know how I'll pay my bills, "God, are You enough?"
When my past haunts me, "God, are You enough?"
When my health declines, "God, are You enough?"
When I am let down and disappointed in my life, "God, are You enough?"
Every time I asked "God, are You enough?" I opened my Bible and began reading, verse by verse. Though my doubts were strong in the beginning, God's Word started to silence the thoughts paralyzing me.
Through promises fulfilled and promises given in Scripture, I discovered the answer was always the same when I asked: "God, are You enough?"
Yes, He is.
Nothing here on earth is guaranteed, except for one thing: Jesus is with us always. And when we understand who He is, our doubts begin to disappear.
The Bible tells us Jesus is sufficient; He's enough. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (NIV 1984). I discovered this to be true. Every need, every doubt, every inadequacy, every fear was met, answered and removed by Jesus.
If I lost everything, I'd be okay because no one can take away my Jesus. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or in a tent on the side of a swamp, I have my Jesus. Whether the world is for me or against me, I have my Jesus. When I am knocked down, I get on my knees and find my Jesus.
When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don't quit. And certainly don't believe the lie God is not enough. Instead, ask yourself, "God, are You enough for me?" Then plant His Word deep in your heart so you'll always have the ready answer, that yes He is. He is enough for me, for you. Ours is the God who "... will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).
Dear Lord, help me to realize and remember the secret to being content in all circumstances is You. Help me to be aware of Your presence in my life at all times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Scripture reassures us over and over that God is enough. Read over His truths in the new NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women, filled with 366 devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries' writers.
Visit Melissa Taylor's blog for real hope for real life.
Reflect and Respond:
Honestly assess if God is enough in your life. Do you find yourself needing or wanting more? Remind yourself that God knows you inside and out. He loves you no matter what and He always will.
Is there a situation in your life you need to turn over to the Lord?
Power Verses:
Psalm 33:4, " For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness." (ESV)
Isaiah 46:3b-4, "You whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (NIV)
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Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org