Kristen Henderlong

“That’s enough…” words I would hear from adults when I was a little girl if they lost their patience with me—and understandably so.  For example, I know when I really wanted something I tried to think of creative ways to nonchalantly ask for it more than once.  You know, just in case they forgot the last 3 times.  “That’s enough, Kristen.”  

I used to get notes sent home from my Kindergarten teacher to inform my mom I was talking too much in class.  “That’s enough, Kristen, stop talking.”

My sister, brother and I would get slap-happy on long car rides.  Laughing, shouting, annoying each other and carrying on… completely random silliness.  “That’s enough!” My mom or dad would say.

As I became a young woman, these words echoed in my own mind through challenges and life lessons.  When I wallowed in sadness for too long; when I let perfectionism get the best of me; when I lost track of who I was… “That’s enough, Kristen.”

Sometimes it’s difficult to be corrected.  To be told to stop, change, hold back or shut up.  “That’s enough, Kristen” definitely had a sting to it from time to time.  But the spirit behind the emphasis of this phrase lingered and reminded me I could have self control and know when to say “That’s enough!!!” 

Makes sense right? Ok… 

But… 

Am I enough?

Here is Google’s definition of the term enough: “as much or as many as required.”

We are all familiar with feeling inadequate, unqualified and not enough.  Anything the enemy can do to convince us we are not useful in the Kingdom of God and we aren’t worthy of relationship with Him, he’s going to do.  And quite frankly, the closer we get to God and His purpose for us, the more we might experience these thoughts and hurdles because we become more of a threat to the devil.

However, let’s flip this on it’s head and consider something for a moment… why are we even worried about being enough when God is enough for us?  Worrying about myself and my worth is putting the focus on me, me, me, when we can be turning our eyes on Jesus.  In Psalm chapter 119 it says, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways” (Psalm 119:37).

I hate it when some Christians over emphasize this, but it’s true that we are worthless without Christ (Of course we know we are broken, lost and sinful—we don’t need to be told a million times). So should we dwell on our fallenness and sin?  No!  Our focus should be Jesus and only Jesus.  He said to come to Him (Matt. 11:28).  The author of Hebrews says, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…” (Heb. 12:1-2 emphasis added).

“That’s enough, Kristen, stop doubting yourself because He is enough which means you are enough.”

But, you see, we are not even measured by the definition of enough: “what or how much is required”.  Jesus paid the price for us when He died and rose again so that we could have life through Him.  He was and is enough so we do not have to be.

God is everything we need.  He defines us.  He qualifies, empowers, and directs us.  He makes a way because He IS the Way (John 14:6 emphasis added).

Makes sense right? Ok…

But consider this…

Isn’t God MORE than enough?

God is not just “as much or as many as required.”  God exceeds what we could ever ask for.  Jesus didn’t die for us so we could get off scott free.  He didn’t just forgive our sins and tell us to run along and play now.  

He is offering us ABUNDANT LIFE. More. More. More. Not just enough.

God is the Great I AM, the Alpha and the Omega, Holy and set apart, seated on the throne in Heaven.  He is far beyond enough.  Enough implies a measurable amount and God is immeasurable.  

The immeasurable God offered Himself to you through Jesus Christ.  That is so profound because He doesn’t make you enough… He fills you up to OVERFLOWING.

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5 emphasis added).

So THAT’S ENOUGH– stop defining yourself by human standards. Next time you feel like you are not enough, look to Jesus, let go, read these verses and find everything you need and MORE.

“Do not fear.  Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with your wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

“I have come that they may have life and that they may have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you may always have all sufficiency in every way, being able to abound to every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work in us” (Eph. 3:20).

Remember: You are loved.