One big problem in the world today is the need to be enough. The need to “measure up”.
At the root of it is the identity factor. I wrote an article on this particular topic called Identity Crisis a bit ago.
Everyone struggles, or has struggled with finding validation in others’ thoughts of you. Performing for love. Running the rat race in the name of hard work.
It’s nothing but an endless cycle.
Here’s why you’ll never be enough;
You’re measuring yourself by the wrong standards.
Have we ever questioned what we are measuring up to?
The world has set expectations for literally everything and anything. You look at yourself and compare your progress to others, inwardly wishing you could be where they are; wishing you could be “there”, because if you were “there”, then you’d be happy.
When in reality, that very person you’re looking up to – they’re more than likely looking up to someone else too. Or wishing they were “there”. Discontent with where they are now.
And chances are, someone, somewhere, wants to be where you are now.
It’s a perpetual race that pushes you, and sifts you, and eats you up until you’re driven into the ground; paralyzed by the fear that you will never be enough.
Don’t deny it; you’ve felt it too at one point. Even if you don’t know it.
Solomon spoke about this in Ecclesiastes.
ECC 1:1-8 KJV 1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Here’s the truth:
There will always be someone ahead of you.
There will always be someone “better” than you.
But here’s the other side of that:
There will always be someone behind you.
And there will always be someone not as “good” as you are.
But despite that, measuring our worth by comparison to others in the first place is foolishness at best and stupidity at worst.
After all, if the Lord God of heaven created you in His image…
Formed you. Crafted you. Gave you an assignment before you were born that no one else could do in the same way, and above all that; loves you so much He died for you,
…then what reason do we have to compare?
The fact is, we don’t. Comparison is a distraction from Satan. An enticement to listen to the lies and doubts just enough so you’re distracted and deterred from the real battle. The spiritual one.
Each morning we wake up, each breath we breathe, is a chance to make war.
A chance to fight for the Kingdom. To walk in the way before ordained for us by the Holy One.
What use is it comparing ourselves to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when we fight on the same side?
Here’s what the Bible has to say about comparison:
2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
So what standard should we hold ourselves to?
If comparison to others is foolish, then what is the opposite of foolishness?
Wisdom.
And where is wisdom found? Where did the wise man from Matthew 7:24 build his house on?
A rock.
Solid. Immovable. Unwavering.
Jesus Christ is our Rock. Upon which we must build our house. Our heart. Our identity.
Steadfast. True. Holy.
Faithful. Just. Pure.
Loving. Kind. Forgiving.
Everything the human heart has ever desired.
Found in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Here’s the punchline:
Stop trying to perform for others.
Stop running yourself into the ground.
Stop performing.
God didn’t want a show.
He wanted a heart completely surrendered to Him.
He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. After all, how can we?
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
Not “some”.
Not “most”.
All.
This is what comparison at its core is.
It’s the beginning of a life lived in the trap of performance.
A trap to ensnare you in lies that say you need to be “there”.
It’s time to stop running the rat race.
Time to step off the stage.
Time to flee from the spotlight.
Because friend, you were never meant to perform for God’s love.
You were made to accept and receive it.
It’s as simple as that.
Stop trying to be enough.
Start trusting He is enough for you.
Leave a Reply