What does it mean to be enough? It’s common to hear the phrase “you are enough,” but what does that really mean? What does that mean to you?

It can differ depending on the one using it, but here are some of the meanings I’ve heard behind that phrase:

1. You are enough despite your failures. You are whole and good even though you make mistakes.
2. You—in your simplest, most organic form—are enough. Without makeup, without the cutest clothes, and without putting on a front.
3. You are enough in comparison to others. Without getting straight A’s, without feeling like you’re the most fit, most attractive, most popular, most talented, etc. Don’t try to be anyone else because no one else is YOU.

Now, there are definitely important truths in these messages. However, I think people can fall into the trap of thinking that they alone are enough—instead of thinking they are enough because of who God made them. We can go beyond surface level with the this idea of “enough.” What does the Bible say about this topic?

Let’s address each example from above with what God says about us.

1. Statement: You are good enough despite your failures and mistakes. Scripture says: “Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37: 24 NLT) Everybody will make mistakes. However, God’s hand is always extended to us, ready to help us. Our mess-ups do not tarnish us nor our relationship with God. As Romans 8:38-39 says, “nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.” Nothing will ever erase His image off of us. Nothing can stop Him from loving us.
2. Statement: You in your simplest, basic form are enough. (Your inner beauty is enough.) Scripture says: “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your innner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV) There is no need to try to become more beautiful via your outward appearance. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look nice, but that it’s important to understand that that is not the source of your beauty or priceless value.
3. Statement: You are enough in comparison to others. There’s no need to be jealous of what others have or what God has done in their life. Scripture says: “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30 NIV) Another verse: “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5 NLT) Focus on what God is doing in your life and in your heart. Never look down on your story because someone else’s is more “sermon-worthy” or “book-worthy.” Don’t devalue what God is doing in your life by focusing more on what He has done for others than for you.

To expand more upon this idea of “enough,” I want to look at the topic of Christ being enough. Many of you have probably heard the song “Christ is Enough” by Hillsong Worship. The phrase “Christ is enough” is quite popular. Now that’s not a bad thing. Christ is “enough” for us, meaning He is all we need. He alone satisfies our deepest desires. As one of the lyrics in the above song says, “Everything I need is in You.” However, I think the phrase sometimes falls short and doesn’t communicate an important truth. Christ is MORE THAN ENOUGH for us. He is MORE than all we need. Not only does He fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts, but His love overflows out of it. He fulfills our longing for value, love, and acceptance. And He exceeds our hope for these desires. We have value BEYOND what we could have dreamed. We are cherished and accepted BEYOND what we could have have imagined! I think a more appropriate phrase that we can encourage others (and ourselves) with is “Christ is MORE than enough.” He is more than able to take care of you and me. 🙂

Many times when we say something is enough, it means it is satisfactory or is, as the Merriam Webster dictionary defines it, “to a degree…that is sufficient.” I don’t think we should be referring to God as satisfactory or sufficient—as if He’s a product we’re reviewing online. God SURPASSES what we need and could ever want. Let’s remember how much we need Him and how He will always be more than enough for us.

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1 NLT)

Picture credit: Culture and Arts Mom