Can I confess something to you?
It’s not going to be pretty. I am embarrassed to admit this, but here I go:
I don’t always live like I truly believe that “Jesus is enough.” I say that I believe it. But I don’t always live those words. That sobering reality brought me to my knees recently when I was singing along to a song that blared through my car speakers.
I’ll bet you’ve heard the song, and maybe you’ve even sung it. Here’s the chorus:
“All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough”
As I drove along, I sang the words loudly, and I knew every word by heart.
The song played on, but I stopped singing.
Because did I really believe that? Did I really believe that God is “more than enough?”
Could I sing that song if something awful happened to the kids? If my marriage fell apart? If we filed for bankruptcy? If I lost all my friends? If I couldn’t afford the stuff I love so much? If I lost my ability to reason, or think, or speak?
Would God really be enough then?
The questions made me uncomfortable enough that I had to stop singing the words, and really ponder what it means to say that Jesus is “enough.”
Here’s my heart: to make Jesus known to my kids, my community, and to readers right here at (in)courage. At the core, my message has always been this: Jesus is enough. But do I really mean it, in my everyday life, in the deepest places of my heart where I still want what I want?
Dear Lord, let it be so! When we say You are enough, let it be so. When we say You alone satisfy us, let it be true. When we say that You meet every need, let us mean it!
Recently, I listened to a podcast from Scott Sauls, a pastor in Nashville. His words reminded me how hard it is for an American, in particular, to be truly content with “just Jesus.” Why? Because we cling to so many other things. Yet, Pastor Sauls says, “the things we cling to are slippery.”
Slippery, indeed. The truth is, outside of Jesus, everything I treasure has a shelf life. It’s all “slippery.” Someday, either my husband or I will grieve for the loss of the other. Someday, I won’t be able to write books anymore. My kids won’t need me like they do now. The roof over my head will one day be gone. As I age, I could lose my memory, even my ability to remember the names of my own children.
Most of us reading these words today are rarely put in the position where we actually have to confront the truth that — as the song says — “all of You is more than enough.” Compared to most of the world, our entire lives are the epitome of “more than enough,” even on our worst days. Because of our access, our excess, and our privilege, it’s terribly easy to fall into the belief that somehow we made it happen.
But we can’t take credit for any of it. We can’t take credit for being born into this affluent nation, full of possibility, health care, and abundance. Pastor Sauls said: “You can’t take credit for that … any more than a poor little girl can take the blame for being born in Calcutta and living all her life on less than two bucks a day.”
The idea of the self-made human is akin to “being born on third base and taking credit for hitting a triple. It’s a total myth,” Pastor Sauls said.
As for me, I want to do more than sing lyrics to nice songs. I want to mean them. I want to believe in my heart that whether I hit a triple or “strike out,” Jesus is enough.
I want to know deeply that everything I have is because of Him, and all that I have is more than I deserve. I am certain that I’ll know, when I get to heaven, how true this is: Jesus really is enough. But I don’t want to wait until I’m standing before my Savior to believe it with all my heart. I want to believe it right now.
Because, if I want to live my fullest life, it’s crucial for me to believe it in this moment. I want to believe what heaven already knows: Jesus was, and is, and always shall be more than enough.
YOUR TURN: How has Jesus proven to you that he truly is enough? Or, is this concept a struggle for you, too?
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I crash into the same realization sometimes standing behind a hymnal, and when I tell my kids that God is in control of a situation, I realize the hypocrisy behind my own racing pulse. Thanks for this checkpoint, Jennifer. It’s good to stop here and bring the image into clear focus that Jesus is the only path to ultimate satisfaction.
Thank you Jennifer for being so honest. I know some Christians think honesty about how we feel is a lack of faith but for me personally , it brings me a little closer to Jesus. I will tell my children that He is enough but then be filled with fear in the middle of the night . Honesty brings me a little closer to the Gentle Savior not the Condeming voice in my head. I truly appreciate your honesty more than you know.
JTB – Thank you for handling my my honesty so gently. And I’m with you. I too see this level of honesty as being seen as a shortage of faith, but for me, it’s always brought me to the feet of Jesus. We are kindreds.
Michele, I’ve thought it so often, with so many hymns and contemporary praise songs. “It is Well With my Soul” comes to mind. Maybe it’s a case of “Faith it Til you Make It.” We’ve got to keep singing and speaking these words, so that will truly sustain us in the inevitably hard times.
Jennifer,
God reminds me in so many ways that He is enough. When I see the beautiful orphans Redeemer Christian Foundation serves in the Middle East – who have absolutely no worldly possessions – not even family or a shirt on their back, yet when they are introduced to the love of Jesus it is enough to put a childlike smile on their face. You don’t find much complaining, but a lot of rejoicing. Also, in my own life, people, and health, and security have all been removed from my life at one point or another and it’s just come down to me and Jesus. It’s those points that I look back on – wherein He was faithful to never leave nor forsake me (even if others did) – that give me hope that He will give me the grace to handle whatever may come down the pike. Am I absolutely not afraid? No, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t have my doubts. But, even those I can take to Him and ask Him for the reassurance to overcome them. Great thought provoking and honest post!
Blessings,
Bev xo
Yes ma’am! It’s those “it’s just come down to me and Jesus” moments where faith is built. It can feel, paradoxically, frightening and reassuring, all at once. Thanks for your beautiful sharing here.
Thank you Jennifer for your vulnerability. I too am struggling with is Jesus enough. A Worship leader at a new church that I’m attending recently said that sometimes we can sing to believe what we can’t say…I take comfort in that – that God knows my heart and what l’m struggling with and can encourage me through music so my faith and prayer can “catch up”. But it’s an uncomfortable place to be in at this time of my life. It does lead to a dependency on God instead of trying to plow through on my own, or being in a rut. And that’s a good thing!
This is so good, Cathy. So good. I want to remember these words here: “we can sing to believe what we can’t say.”
I need to believe this right now. Please pray for my heart. It’s broken right now and I’m struggling with God and I know I need him but sometimes I want everything else that feels taken away and don’t want him to be enough. I need peace and joy and comfort and rest. I need to grieve what I’ve lost but sitting in it just hurts so much. This week is full of important dates and anniversaries to grieve. Please pray for healing for my heart.
I just prayed for you, Kristi. May the peace that humanly speaking we don’t understand guard your heart and mind during these difficult days.
Kristi.. I am praying for you now and will continue every time your name is brought to my mind… God will do this as He was resurrected and will resurrect you from the pit you’re grieving in.. I have been in that hard place and when you realize you aren’t alone, but lying against our Saviors heart on His lap you can rest and know Jesus is enough for this day and every day yet to come..love you through Him
I hear the cry of your heart because it is the cry of mine right now as well. It’s okay to grieve your losses. God is the God of comfort in these times. Let Him be your shoulder to cry on. He completely understands how deeply the human heart can hurt and He is not offended by it. He understands your pain. Lean in to that truth. I’m praying for you right now, Kristi, that God would heal the brokenness and bring you peace, joy, comfort and rest.
Kristi,
God saw this day. He knows exactly what you need and He sees your hurt. Give it to Him, ALL of it. I have struggled with deep hurts as well, most of us have. The Lord promises that He is near to the broken-hearted and save those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18). The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in you! Tell it where to go, whatever it is that is grieving you, in the name above every name, proclaim Jesus’ name over it! Surround yourself with believers that will lift you up and love on you. Prayers sister! Xo
Kristi,
I hope and pray that your pain will be eased.
Blessings to you,
Penny
Oh Kristi…. I am praying right now.
Dear Lord, we as a community at (in)courage lift up Kristi right now. Together, we are carrying her straight to the feet of Jesus, like the ones who lowered their friend through the roof to bring him to the Savior. We don’t know the details, but we sense that there has been great loss and heartache that no one would want to bear. Because YOU, Father, know the details … because YOU know the pain … we ask YOU to give her exactly what she needs: peace, comfort, a reassuring presence of the Holy Spirit, an army of good friends who will sit with her in this pain, … as well as prayer warriors right here in the (in)courage comment box. Dear Lord, we know you love Kristi. Please be with her now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amen!
Kristi, I am in the same boat. I just went through a horrible divorce, my husband of 22 years left me for another woman, my young adult daughters do not speak to me, I lost my job and may lose my home and I have health issues and no insurance. I struggle with the pain of it all and the will to continue on. I appreciate all of the honesty here, it is quite refreshing. I am reminded of Job and what he said, the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord. God cares so much, he even gathers our tears, and I know I have and continue to shed many. You are not alone. I am praying for you, I know how overwhelming the pain and hurt can be and what a struggle daily life can become. You are not alone and may we all learn deep in our hearts and minds that He is Enough.
Hi Wendy and Kristi,
I too went through an ugly divorce after being married for 22 years. My only daughter was 17 and off to college at the time, she somehow blamed me for the divorce also. I can’t prove it but I also believe that my spouse left me for another woman as he got married 6 months after our divorce was final, which was another blow to me. This was all very difficult for me but I kept praying and going to church and I knew that one way or another God would see me through this terrible situation. I decided to go back to school at the age of 42 to get an Associates degree, since I had been out of the workforce for 8 years raising my daughter, I lacked confidence to get a job. God brought me through this with flying colors, because I wasn’t even sure I was even able to get a degree as I was told I was not college material with I was 15. I stayed with a friend for two years until I got my degree and God sent someone from the college to tell me about a job opportunity. God handed me this job when I did not even know what I wanted to do with this degree. It ended up being in Human Resources and I realized a few years later that it was the perfect job for me and God sent me there. My daughter finally came back to me and we are on great terms now and I have two grand babies. God also sent me a new husband and we were married in 2013, God is so good!!!! In 2015 my husband had a heart attack and almost died at the age of 56. I prayed night and day that God would not take him from me. My husband is doing well today. I got laid off from my job just after Thanksgiving last year. I still have not been able to find a job and we are having to put our house up for sale because on one income we cant make the mortgage payment anymore. We are a little scared because we are not sure what we will do after we sell our house, this house has been a security for us and now we are losing that. I know that God wants us to rely on Him for everything. God is my provider not my husband or myself. God wants me to trust Him 100% with my life. I don’t know what the next step is but God will guide our steps and in the end I know He will bless us as He has always done in the past. I am praying for your Kristi as a woman that has know heart-ache too. May God bless you and heal your wounds with his love. In Jesus name!
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell your story, it gives me hope and light. I will be praying for you and your husband.
Thank you Wendy and I will keep you in my prayers also, as this is what God wants us to do. To reach out to others and encourage them by what God has taught us and brought us through. God Bless You!!
I love what’s happening in our (in)courage community comment box here this week — all of you walking with each other, praying for each other, sharing your stories. Beyond grateful for each and every one of you for ministering to broken hearts. Christ’s love to each of you.
Sherry,
God will see you through this time! He is always there for you!! I pray you feel His love & comfort deep in your soul!! May He send His Whispers of Rest to your weary soul!! I will pray for you & your family sweet sister!!
(((((Hugs)))))
Kristi,
Praying for you sweet sister! Cry out to God & He will hear you. He longs to spend time talking & comforting you. I pray you feel His love & comfort deep in your soul! He will never leave nor forsake you! Life on earth is hard, but Jesus is enough to get us through the tough times. May He send Whispers of Rest to your weary soul!
(((((Hugs)))))
I know maybe not all of you who commented on my comment will be notified but I still wanted to send a thank you to each of you. Reading these words has encouraged my soul tonight. I know I’m getting stronger even if I don’t always feel it. It’s getting easier to trust God but I still have days that I lose my focus. Thank you ladies for your prayers and support and belief in God and in me and for having hope for me even when I can’t 🙂
Hi Jennifer, this brings tears to my eyes because every word you wrote could be me. Thank you for letting me know I’m not alone. I’ll continue striving toward “Jesus is enough” and truly believing and embracing it.
Hi Mary, One thing I have learned is that as you use the word “striving”, our good, good Father is saying to us stop striving and my sweet daughter and yield your heart totally to Me for My Spirit to reveal to You that you can find rest in Me and discover that I am enough. He takes pleasure in YOU!!!!
Thank you, Mary. You are such a dear soul with a faith-filled heart. I adore you.
Likewise, Jennifer. I have learned SO much from you.
I face this question all the time and what brings me to knowing that He is enough is when I look back in my life and see His faithfulness. I don’t think we are to imagine the troubles, losses and hardships. I never even could have imagined them in my life, but Jesus meets us where we are. The harder life becomes, the more you cling to what you know will never slip from your side, Jesus. Enjoy Him now while you have the opportunities you have and keep singing those songs. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Thanks for your encouragement, Mary!
This is such a convicting post. Jesus is enough. It’s something we say too flippantly. Do we mean it? Jesus is enough as long as we have all the other things in our life that we think provide comfort and peace. Our prayers are more fervent during the hard times, but during the good times, it is easy to feel like we don’t need Jesus at all. Although my human mind can’t grasp all the Jesus is and does, my prayer is to better understand that He is enough and find true fulfillment in Him.
Totally agree. Thanks, Patrice.
Jennifer,
I catch myself thinking the same thing as well. When I’m belting out the words to my favorite songs, ‘You have no rivals, You have no equals…’
NOTHING compares, but yet I allow “things” to take the place of my Savior. I KNOW that He is enough, but that new pair of shoes is “fulfilling;” that new book I “have” to buy. There’s nothing wrong with these things, but when we allow them to come before Jesus, they are all wrong. I have allowed things and people to take the place of Jesus, knowing it’s not right and yet seeking to fill he void that only Jesus can. Yes, even as a believer!
I am thankful that God has brought me to a place where I lean on Him more than those days past! Thank you for sharing this sobering truth that we may not realize at times. Xo
Thanks for “getting” me, Bridget, and taking me as I am. Walking this road with you, opening my arms up to say, “I want to live like what I say is true about YOU, Lord Jesus!”
I have difficulty with this concept as well. In the last 6 1/2 years I have lost my Dad, my marriage of 22 years, my Mom, my retirement home. I have had to go back through school working full time. When I thought I was doing exactly what God wanted me to, I lost the job, lost the ability to get the “perfect” house for me. Found another job…..now this job I keep getting my hours cut. What am I doing wrong? I”M TIRED. I don’t want to be alone at my age. My kids are out of the house. My oldest and grandkids 1000 miles away. I can’t afford to visit them. I have found another job but I will be driving a LONG way to and from……
I thought all this was to grab my attention and realize all I need is GOD. But, in all honesty I’m tired, I’m lonely, and I am really exhausted trying to do everything myself, get my career going again, get retirement income coming in (because I need to make sure I don’t have to work until I’m 90). I see my siblings and friends with their spouses, weekly date nights, sharing holidays, sharing frustrations, sharing church…..why do I have to experience this all alone to prove to God He is enough???
He is enough spiritually, mentally. I know I am in His will……but does that mean I have to be alone for the rest of my life? If so, I’m exhausted I would rather He take me Home now.
Lonely
Praying for you. ❤❤❤
Lisa, Thank you for your honesty. I have had the same kind of struggles. I am alone too. My husband left me for another woman after 22 years of marriage, my kids are out of the house and do not speak to me. I lost my job, my health, my health insurance and possibly my home. I struggle with wanting to go to my forever home desperately at times, and lately it is more like most of the time. I am lonely too and each day is a struggle. I have always loved the book of Job and recently was reminded of the what he said, The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord. I repeat this during my day and when I think of all I have lost. I know God is enough but struggle to believe it deep in my heart and mind. I watch those around me prosper and I watch my ex doing so well according to the world, he has a great job, a new wife, a new home, a new truck and so on. Please be encouraged that you are not alone. I am praying for you and if you need someone to talk to I would love that..not sure how to talk privately. Maybe I could give you my email?
Lonely,
I am so sorry to hear of your losses and your pain.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” The key is to do what he says to do, then you find rest. When Jesus says Take my yoke upon you.. well what is that? He was yoked to the Father. He said what the Father told him to say and he did what he saw the Father doing; but more than that, he spent time with the Father, late at night, early in the morning, sometimes all night. The healing comes in that place. The rest for your soul comes in that place. In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy. (Ps 16:11.) Getting in the presence of the Lord is simple, but not easy. It happens when we to turn away from other things and turn toward him.
You don’t have to prove anything to God. He sees you right where you are, and he’s calling you to come to him to find rest. He wants to bless you and comfort you and just love on you. If you can, take your attention from those around you who have what you don’t, and instead focus on every good gift the Lord gives you. Read his word until you find peace. Repeat as necessary.
Know that you are loved and cherished, and God’s thoughts toward you are good and too numerous to be counted! Be blessed.
Oh my but you have touched my spirit. Thank you so much.
Lisa
Praying for you this morning, Lisa, as you endure a heartbreaking season of loneliness. I am so sorry for all you’re going through. Thank you for sharing with us, so we can pray.
Thank you very much. I lost my prayer warrior when I lost my Mother so to know I have someone praying with me truly brings peace.
Lisa
Thank you so much for this reminder. I think so many of us are in the same boat as you. But through my lifetime of ups and downs, I have realized that he is more than enough and will always be with us! This has blessed my soul!
Thanks and Blessings, Roselyn
Thank you for your kind words.
Lisa
Yes! I needed this this morning. Thank you. I have been depending too much on friends and their advice, instead of what God says.
Jennifer loved your beautiful words and heart.
The older I get the more I see He is more than enough.
Our women’s group at church did a summer study called BECOMING A WOMAN WHOSE GOD IS ENOUGH! It was a great study and at the end I thought that IF I ever got a tattoo (and that’s highly unlikely) it would be small and on the inside of my wrist so as to be not very visible to others, but a reminder to me and it would say GOD IS ENOUGH!
A great concept to embrace and live by.
Thank you for sharing your words of encouragement!
oh, goodness. This made me squirm. You nailed it!
And I squirmed as I wrote it! 🙂 Not something I really wanted to admit when I hit PUBLISH on this baby, but then again, if one of us has this kind of a confession, most likely, others are feeling it too. Grateful that Jesus takes us as we are, and doesn’t leave us down here alone, even when we don’t respond to his faithfulness as we ought. Thanks, Kendra.
Jennifer thank-you for bringing this to light…. To think that He who we depend on so much is not enough, that’s so sad, but unfortunately can at times be true. and something I’ve been trying to change in myself.
Blessings to all,
Penny
Thank you for sharing-absolutely beautiful and thought provoking!❤️
So often, my biggest struggle is living like I believe what I say I believe. I have to go back to the beginning and make sure I’ve got it all lined up in my head and heart walk it out over and over again. Thanks for this encouragement to keep on.
Let us rest in Him together, friend, and may we let Him carry us through this journey, with all that it brings. He is enough, whether we feel it or not. He is enough, and he has given us so many blessings for the journey. 🙂 Creation, community (online, even!), but most of all Himself.
Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God.”
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Philippians 3:8-9 “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
Let us together “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
He is our strength, joy, and song! Let us turn our eyes to Him and seek to “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple,” (Psalm 27:4) for there we will find “life and life to the full.” (John 10:10) God bless you, Natalie, and all of us sisters and daughters of the King together in Him. May we discover the Truth that He truly is ENOUGH. For everything.
Hi Jennifer, thank you for your post. About four years ago I could have written this post myself. I was standing facing some of the things that you mentioned in your article. I remember thinking the “what if” and asking the Father what would be my response. I feel that the Spirit responded to my heart saying, “I am enough”! I rest on that truth. He will provide “the enough”, sufficient grace at the moment of need, not prior. THANK YOU for sharing. I was so encouraged.
I think for me it was the experience of God taking me to a place where I literally only had him with me. What I had to do was way beyond my expertise and yet it was a matter of life and death for someone I love. I found out at that time he was enough. He could guide me and help me make and take the right steps. After that, I know with God I can face anything.
However, I don’t always live with that desperation so in times when things are good I don’t always rely on him in the same way. In others words I don’t live as if he is enough. In fact, I posted something on my Instagram page today about wanting to “Need God” all of the time.
He is enough for this moment in time. He blessed us this morning with all these comments of faith and struggle and sisterhood in our belief of our Father in heaven who loves us.
Take no thought of the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Mathew 6:34.
“I believe, help my unbelief!” might be a frequent prayer over here. I recently heard a pastor who wrote Gospel Fluency say he used to think there were two categories of people – believers and unbelievers, but now he just thinks there are unbelievers, including himself. He was NOT saying He didn’t believe in Christ and I’m not trying to confuse anyone, but his point was that at some level (until we’re in heaven), we’re all co-working with God on the integrity of our lives and the areas in which we don’t believe. That got my attention! Your post reminded me of the necessity to ruthlessly expose those ugly parts of myself to His healing. Thanks for your honesty, Jennifer.
Thank you for your honesty. It is refreshing and real. I have asked myself the same question. I realized that I need to work on really believing that Jesus is enough for me. Because we have such a loving Father, I can pour out my heart to Him and ask Him to help me believe and live in a way that I know He is more than enough. Thank you for sharing your struggle with me, the world. I know we will both come to see, live and believe that Jesus is more than enough.
Been there so many times Jennifer; stopped singing when I realized what I was declaring and questioned my faith/beliefs. When a loved one passes away, and a spouse disappoints, finances don’t seem to meet the need, a child walks away from all they’ve been taught, etc. and it can be overwhelming and tiring.
So often, it is only when I look in the rear-view mirror that I realize that God was *with* me the whole time. And that is what my soul longs for ~ to know that I’m not alone, or abandoned, or forsaken, even when it felt like it.
Thank you for your honesty friend. You (and your folks) are so often in my prayers. <3
Definitely a struggle. I’ve had similar experiences in church worship services, where I simply have to stop and ask God to help me really mean the words.
But the fact that we’re stopping and asking is a good first step to really meaning them.
I also have over 50 years of life knowing God, watching him move in the lives of my family and loved ones, and knowing his unfailing faithfulness through many difficult life experiences. Yet I know there will be more difficult seasons and I still have room to grow into fully trusting my Saviour, no matter what.
Thanks for this reminder to surrender once again.
Wow. This really hit home to me. I live my life as if it depends on me and not on God. Like you, I say He’s enough buy I sure don’t live it. God help me!
I have thought about this as well, and I have to remind myself that even in Biblical times, the Disciples and others who spoke directly with God , also sometimes had doubts , and they too had to be guided to the Truth. This is how our Faith grows and we gain intimacy with our Lord. Sometimes I feel as if I don’t have enough Faith to get me through a trial or distressing time, but we are told that all that we need is Faith the size of a mustard seed. Never does the Word say that we need to figure it out by ourselves or we need to use our own willpower or strength. No, all we need is Faith the size of a mustard seed and God does the rest. Isn’t that a relief? When we walk out onto the water and begin to doubt, Jesus is there to grab a hold of us. Not just once in awhile, but every time. It may not always look or feel like it in our opinion, but it happens regardless, every time ! Keep believing and keep growing my Friends. We’re all in this together and knowing we share the same concerns and are reaching out to one another is exactly what Christ wants us to do. ❤
Thank you, Katherine for your wise encouragement. God bless you!❤
Even when my job seems stale and frustrating, even when I’ve felt hopeless and like I would never pull myself out of a situation, when I spent years wondering when my Intended would come, and now as I wonder when I will possibly get married to that same man (we’re going through some fear right now), I trust that God is enough. I know that if I lost my job tomorrow, God would provide. I know that if my friends were to move across country or even across seas, God would still be there. If my boyfriend were taken away in whatever manner, God would keep my afloat and I would cling to Him until He saw fit to bring me someone He deemed Good.
I pray that none of these things ever happen, but if they did, I know that God really would be enough. He IS enough now, and will be enough for my future.
I just found out I have a car repair that needs $1,667. I’m on Social Security and a part-time job, and my stomach hurts. I panicked when I heard about the car repair bill. I don’t have anything like enough money to do that. But I remembered what someone said, to remember all the things He has carried me through. So I started remembering, and being thankful — for His dying and resurrection, for all the times when I have come through tough things of some kind or another.
A mechanic at church is helping me to keep the fluids filled up. He said sometimes that is all that is needed. I still don’t have the money for that kind of major repair. So I don’t really know what’s going to happen. But, I can remember other times when I didn’t think I had enough money, and the Lord Jesus carried me through.
And some of the other problems make mine seem so minor.
I only know I have to depend completely on the LORD, maybe especially when we are not enough or don’t have enough. Which seems like most of the time, but is really ALL the time.
Clara again: Then I was listening to a song on the radio, “Where you go I’ll go, where you stay, I’ll stay” … and I thought, “But I don’t want to move any more! So, I’m guilty too. Blessings, Jennifer. Your honesty is truly wonderful.
Thanks for this encouraging and challenging message! What is the name of the song you were listening to? I never heard it.
Thank you for your candor! I believe it is so important to confront our greatest fears before they happen, to realize our mortality, and as you put it the temporary nature of all we cling to in this life. And ask, as you do here, would Jesus be enough, even then… It is hard, but I trust Jesus will help me in my unbelief and increase my faith in Him for the hard days! Many blessings to you!
Holding onto this truth. He has proven Himself faithful and enough in the past. He will be faithful and enough for today and for the future. So simple and yet, we so can struggle. Grateful for the reminder!
This becomes a real struggle in my life as, in the last year, bad things come in threes becomes bad things come in 6’s, 7’s or 8’s. I know that when compared to the world, I’m extremely blessed. I’m just tired on a constant decline, a constant of, “more bad news”. It’s become a struggle to remember that Jesus is enough and that He’s plan is best for me. Thanks for the reminder!
Just the other day I was calculating ways to meet a desire in my mind, and was convicted that I was betraying the truth: I didn’t believe Jesus was enough. I wanted that desire met, and was willing to find ways to meet it apart from Him. Thank you for this today! I want to truly believe and find enough here and now too!
Wow, this message really hit home for me. It is making me think about my situations and others around me. Thank you for providing me with the inspiration that I needed at this time in my life.
He was NEVER meant to be enough ALL the time. I wonder if everybody can understand that?
“Outside of Jesus, everything I treasure in my life has a shelf life.” This is the core of the story! We treasure things, but I was thinking even people have a shelf life. (Hopefully, we’ll see those people in the “after shelf life,” though).
🙂 Jesus is life. There is no other place to find our rest and our satisfaction. I pray everyday through my “gratefuls.” This helps turn me my entire being toward Jesus. But, it is really tough when you are down and things are hard because I struggle with not knowing the future and being exhausted, too, at times. It will be a constant struggle until we are on the other side because we are human. Sometimes, the struggle is recessive and sometimes it’s dominant. Just depends on where I am in life.
Jesus has proven over and over again that he is more than enough for me. He has protected our family, provided for us, guided and blessed. Since 1983, I’ve recorded over 1200 examples in a journal titled simply, God Is Faithful. NOT that I don’t still struggle when circumstances spin out of control. But I’m much quicker to turn to him, begin to praise him for his attributes he’s bringing to bear on the situation, breathe in the peace of the Holy Spirit, and turn my mind to thanking him for everything that’s right and good and lovely (Philippians 4:8). (At my age, I’ve had lots of practice!!)
Jesus is more than enough, always there, always faithful to His promises
Jennifer,
My aging dad’s dementia went south & he had to be hospitalized. Jesus was all I had to depend on at the time.. He had to heal him one way or the other. He chose to give me more time with him. We live in a world of affluence in America. We have more than we “NEED” to survive. The devil does a great job at making all that stuff look attractive & we feel we must have it. Truth is all that stuff is just fluff made to look pretty. It isn’t lasting or helpful in any way. I pray we can start teaching our children & living our lives like Jesus is enough!! Yes, if life failed me & I lost my hubby or other stuff-He would be enough!!! Life would not be the same, but He would comfort me.
Blessings 🙂
My Lent devo this morning was on Abraham and Sarah. They received incredible but (seemingly) impossible promises and they questioned God…Have you noticed we are old??? Sarah even laughed. Their story reminds me that God was enough for them despite all kinds of circumstances beyond their control. When I struggle with believing God would be enough for me if …… happened or if I lost…… and when I wonder if the promises of God are really for me, I pray “God, let me see what You see.” I am praying for the grieving and the hurting in this thread. I pray that the eyes of our hearts might be open to see what God sees. Life is so hard for so many, but having others to care and to pray helps us along on the journey. Thanks for your honesty, Jennifer. You bless me always.