Melissa Taylor
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Is God enough? It's a question that my life circumstances force me to keep going back to. What I've concluded is that not only is God enough, but He has to be enough. I've also concluded that it takes effort on my part to keep myself aware of this.
As a young child, I didn't realize my need for God, but I did realize that I had a need that was not fulfilled. I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. My dad left our family when I was eleven. Both circumstances left me devastated, and I didn't understand how God could bring healing at that time. I spent many years trying to heal myself and make myself feel better. Nothing worked.
As I grew older and began to move from being a Christian who simply believed to a Christian who was actively involved with Jesus, my life began to change. Because I was having conversations with Him directly and reading His Word consistently, my life was challenged. I learned that when the hard knocks came, and they would, I needed to ask myself one question in order to move on. "Is God enough?"
When a friend betrays me, is God enough? When I need to forgive someone for something that seems unforgivable, is God enough?
When my child is having issues that are out of my control, is God enough? When my marriage is on the brink of destruction, is God enough?
When I am not forgiven by another person, is God enough?
When my mother is dying of cancer, is God enough?
When others don't recognize my value, is God enough?
When I am struggling professionally, is God enough?
When someone I love uses words to hurt me, is God enough?
When I am in debt and don't know how I'll pay my bills, is God enough?
When I am reminded of something I did in the past, is God enough?
When the world is in turmoil, is God enough?
When my health is declining, is God enough?
When I am let down and disappointed in my life, is God enough?
Just last night, I sat in my room crying. Here I was again asking, "Is God enough?" I opened a box full of personalized Bible verses that someone very special gave to me. I began reading them out loud to myself. Verse by verse, I began combating the thoughts that were paralyzing me with self doubt. What I discovered is the conclusion I always come to when I ask myself "Is God enough?" Yes He is.
I could lose everything in life. There's not anything I have here on earth that is guaranteed. If I lost it all though, I'd be okay because no one can take away my identity in Christ. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or a shack in the 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 there I find my Jesus. His Word is planted deep in my heart and I believe it all.
When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don't quit. And certainly don't believe the lies you may be entertaining in your head. Instead, ask yourself, "Is God enough for me?" The answer could change everything.
Dear Lord, help me to realize that 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:
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Melissa’s blog
Read the story of how God was enough to two women in His Amazing Touch
Application Steps:
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.
Reflections:
What can you do today to remind yourself that God is enough?
Is there a situation in your life that you need to turn over to the Lord?
Power Verses:
Psalm 33:4, "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." (NIV)
Isaiah 46:3b-4, "You whom I have upheld since your were conceived, and have carried since your birth. 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)
© 2010 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
Is God enough? It's a question that my life circumstances force me to keep going back to. What I've concluded is that not only is God enough, but He has to be enough. I've also concluded that it takes effort on my part to keep myself aware of this.
As a young child, I didn't realize my need for God, but I did realize that I had a need that was not fulfilled. I was sexually abused when I was seven years old. My dad left our family when I was eleven. Both circumstances left me devastated, and I didn't understand how God could bring healing at that time. I spent many years trying to heal myself and make myself feel better. Nothing worked.
As I grew older and began to move from being a Christian who simply believed to a Christian who was actively involved with Jesus, my life began to change. Because I was having conversations with Him directly and reading His Word consistently, my life was challenged. I learned that when the hard knocks came, and they would, I needed to ask myself one question in order to move on. "Is God enough?"
When a friend betrays me, is God enough? When I need to forgive someone for something that seems unforgivable, is God enough?
When my child is having issues that are out of my control, is God enough? When my marriage is on the brink of destruction, is God enough?
When I am not forgiven by another person, is God enough?
When my mother is dying of cancer, is God enough?
When others don't recognize my value, is God enough?
When I am struggling professionally, is God enough?
When someone I love uses words to hurt me, is God enough?
When I am in debt and don't know how I'll pay my bills, is God enough?
When I am reminded of something I did in the past, is God enough?
When the world is in turmoil, is God enough?
When my health is declining, is God enough?
When I am let down and disappointed in my life, is God enough?
Just last night, I sat in my room crying. Here I was again asking, "Is God enough?" I opened a box full of personalized Bible verses that someone very special gave to me. I began reading them out loud to myself. Verse by verse, I began combating the thoughts that were paralyzing me with self doubt. What I discovered is the conclusion I always come to when I ask myself "Is God enough?" Yes He is.
I could lose everything in life. There's not anything I have here on earth that is guaranteed. If I lost it all though, I'd be okay because no one can take away my identity in Christ. Whether I live in a mansion on a hill or a shack in the 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 there I find my Jesus. His Word is planted deep in my heart and I believe it all.
When life becomes more than you think you can handle, don't quit. And certainly don't believe the lies you may be entertaining in your head. Instead, ask yourself, "Is God enough for me?" The answer could change everything.
Dear Lord, help me to realize that 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:
Women's Devotional Bible (NIV)
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference by Carolyn Custis James
Visit Melissa’s blog
Read the story of how God was enough to two women in His Amazing Touch
Application Steps:
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.
Reflections:
What can you do today to remind yourself that God is enough?
Is there a situation in your life that you need to turn over to the Lord?
Power Verses:
Psalm 33:4, "For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does." (NIV)
Isaiah 46:3b-4, "You whom I have upheld since your were conceived, and have carried since your birth. 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)
© 2010 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.
Labels: Confidence, God's Perspective, Identity in Christ, Overcoming, Spiritual Growth, Trusting God, Walking in Faith
14 Comments:
All these difficult circumstances in our lives help us to to try God and see if He is enough. It is so great that the answer is always, Yes, He is enough. He is here for us.
Thank you, Lord God Almighty, that You are our Father God and are always available to us.
This week as I read each devotion, I am amazed at how they came just when I needed them. I am having a bad week at work, and just do not want to be there today at all, but I have to remember He is enough to get me through this day and everyday at work. I need to LEARN to allow Him to be enough.
Thanks, Denise
Thank you, I need to hear the words "Is God enough?", I am going through a divorce. My husband left me and the children, I am now responsible for our live that we once shared. The burden of life is heavy now, and I needed to hear those words. Thank you so much for reminding me that "He is enough".
Blessings,
V.
I am living some of those life situations you listed. And you have given me the focus for my day: is God enough. I will focus there today and let Him help me. Thank you for the message.
I can barely see through the tears as I write this. This message hit home today in ways that are deep & penatrating to the soul. Many thanks for exposing your vulnerbility & allowing us to be blessed...& revived!
~Arkansas Lady
It was my prayer when writing this devotion that God would use the words to give you just what you needed today. I pray that anyone who reads it will see that God is enough and with Him you can get through anything. I have prayed over each comment here and I will continue to check back and pray. Praying that God is enough for you. Thank you so much for blessing me today with your comments and sharing how the Lord spoke to you through the devotion.
I too was sexually abused as a very young child. Now as a 40 yr old woman I find the old fears of vulnerability and closeness with a man resurface in my life any time I begin to feel safe with a man. I have never been married, and long to be a helpmate and mother. It is so hard to trust God with my fears to provide for me in this area, much less imagine He could provide a man who could walk with me. Thank-you for reminding me that I can trust Him to carry me.
Thanks also for the post. It's a reminder to look in one direction only when things are going wrong. It's hard to do and hard to trust! Read the post this morning and reminded of the words when out walking at lunchtime, feeling lonely and isolated. Need renewal and this is a good starting point!
Thank you all for your comments. I used to think I was the only one that was molested or forgotten or lonely. The reminders that not only is Jesus walking with me but also many others, give me inspiration and strength to fight the darkness that threatens to overtake me at times. Thank you, Lord, for these brave women who keep the faith alive.
This sentence stands out to me. "It takes EFFORT on my part to keep myself aware of this" - the fact that God is enough. Thank You, Lord, for being enough. Help me to always take time and give the effort to remember that.
i too focus on the words EFFORT on my part- the first thing i do each day is take my cup of coffee to my patio for my "God chat".That time of "sitting in His lap"-absorbing his presence is followed by my visit to Proverbs 31. This means getting up a little earlier,often not reading the newspaper, but feeling God's love& his words putting me in a state of mind that He is my lead- all i have to do is follow!
thank you so much for this devotion. i wished i would have read it earlier today. i have felt my world crumble these last few days but i have felt God's presence that much more. Thanks again for reminding me God is enough and he will always supply our need.
i am sitting here crying as i type. I got up this morning unbelievably sad, and angry at my ex-husband for choosing to not participate in our marriage we once had. I should be past this by now but every now and then it creeps back up and attacks me. Usually when i find myself in a happy content place. I needed these words so much. thank you.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, experiences and truths. Just the reminder I needed just when I needed it. God is so good!
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