{my graphics are free goodies for you}
I’ve been given a hard task—write down the lies/condemnation my heart hears and the truth that will set me free.
I approach this assignment on an ordinary weekday morning over a cup of coffee. I pull out my favorite journal and write Lies/Condemnation on one side and Truth on the other, and then I draw a black line right down the middle.
The first lie/condemnation comes easily, like a strong wind blowing through me…
I’m not good enough.
It’s my signature struggle, the phrase that echoes through my mind most often. When I’ve addressed it in the past I’ve tried a simple counter argument: I am good enough. This never seems to work. I can say the words but I don’t feel them in my guts and bones. They ring untrue.
On this particular morning I realize suddenly that’s because they are untrue. For me to be “good enough” by my own standards I would have to be perfect. I am not perfect. I never have been. I never will be on this side of eternity.
Shoot. I may need more coffee.
I decide to go digging around in the Word for what else I might write in the Truth column. I find this:
“When I tried to keep the law [[be good enough]], it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless.” Galatians 2:19-21
Paul is writing these words to people who have been trying to be good enough, too. He is telling them what I’ve come to see: that I will never meet the impossible standard of perfection. His answer is not to pat them on the back and tell them they’re nice people anyway. No, his response really comes down to two words…
But Jesus.
It seems in that moment the table on which my coffee mug is sitting shakes, the earth tilts sideways, my old perspective shatters. This is the truth that overcomes every word of condemnation I hear inside my heart…
I’m not good enough. But Jesus.
I fall and fail and make mistakes. But Jesus.
I didn’t get everything right today. But Jesus.
What we need is not more “self-esteem”; it’s to fully understand that our hope and identity and security rest only in our Savior, in what He did for us on the cross and through His resurrection, in who He says we are as a new creation.
I fill the lies/condemnation column of my journal. Half the page is covered in black ink by the time I’m done. Yet when I finish there are still only two words on the Truth side: But Jesus.
I know I will go back to this place in my journal. Because as long as I am on this earth storms will come and the lies and condemnation will try to swirl through my mind like tiny tornadoes. Only truth can still them. As my friend and fellow writer Sharon Jaynes says in Enough: Silencing the Lies that Steal Your Confidence, “The enemy tries to get us to focus on our flaws rather than on our faith.”
Maybe your life could use a little more peace today too. What our hearts struggle with may be different but what rescues us is the same. We are the beloved and this is our hope, our anthem, our heart-shout that rises above the wind within…
But Jesus.
XOXO
Holley Gerth
*****
Right now, we’re doing a special link-up series to celebrate Fiercehearted: Live Fully, Love Bravely. You’re a fiercehearted woman so I’m asking you to pour out a little love and courage with your words every Wednesday {the link-up goes live at 5:30am CST}. Simply write an encouraging blog post, especially if it’s about living fully and loving bravely, and then share it here. Don’t have a blog? You can still write an encouraging comment. If you’re reading this by email, go to holleygerth.com to see all the fun and join in too.
When you link up your post, take a moment to leave an encouraging comment on the one that’s linked up just before yours. Thanks, friends!
I’m having Coffee For Your Heart with my friend Holley Gerth!
{click to tweet that you’re joining me here today}
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Holy Confidence. I do like that. I can do all things because of Him who gives me strength.
I love that statement Holley… HOLY CONFIDENCE. I’m going to have to check out that book. Praying you have a blessed week. It’s my first time back linking up in a while. Hope all is well with you.
~Sherry
xoxo
Holley, the enemy whispers the same lies to me. The other night I sat down and wrote a list of what I know to be true about God in relation to me. I used the alphabet. Focusing on His attributes brought me relief. He is able! thanks for a great post.
Holy confidence…thank you for that, Holly. It really does change everything. Thank your for hosting as well. Have a blessed week!
Wow, I was just having a conversation about some issues I had with the term self-esteem. Holy Confidence is a whole lot better!
Holly, I absolutely love that graphic!! I need to frame it. This is something I constantly struggle with. I had to do an assignment just like the one you mentioned and discovered the lies I had started believing that were straight from the enemy. Just today, I found myself thinking, “I’m not good enough.” From doing the assignment, I recognized that lie and focused on truth. (By the way two great books that really helped me in this area were Nothing to Prove by Jennie Allen and You Are Free by Rebekah Lyons.) Thank you for this post!!!
But Jesus! I have been saying BUT GOD a lot this week myself…. Bad report – BUT GOD – He can do anything even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment or look anywhere close to it. I love your Holy – Confidence – it is definitely a BUT JESUS moment. Thank you for sharing from your journal and your heart today as you always do so well. Blessings and thank you for the linkup each week
thank you, holley – it seems no matter where I succeed, there’s that list on the right. BUT JESUS. I’ll say that out loud today , in His honor and yours. Blessings from CA.
Oh, Holley. I have been preaching this similar message for a while, but not said it nearly so eloquently. I had to share your post on social media. I believe this is one of the most important messages for women today if we are ever to feel true joy and contentment. But Jesus… Thank you so much for sharing. laurensparks.net
I love this so much! But Jesus. I so need to remember that. I actually am starting to want that as a tattoo to daily remind myself.
Thank you for the reminder that God is not finish with us yet and that we need Jesus as our source of everything in this life. What a message.May the Lord continue to bless your ministry Holly. Praying for you always,as you continually touch lives for their christian edification.
In Christ,
Mila
Holley,
You are spot on with this post. None of us is good enough. We will never ever measure up to perfection.. But Jesus. Thanks be to Jesus who gives us the strength to carry on. That is one lie I constantly run through my head. The evil one wants us to feel defeated, unworthy & useless-not victors. We must remember that we win in the end. Kick the old devil to the curb & tell Him he’s not welcome in our house, or minds.
Blessings 🙂
This stopped me, “For me to be “good enough” by my own standards I would have to be perfect. I am not perfect. I never have been. I never will be on this side of eternity.” Yes, we often have such high standards.
Love that only one answer is needed in the truth column. Great post and encouragement.
Holley, thank you for this post!! It came just in time, as I am leading a church women’s group in Hong Kong for sisters who are feeling discouraged and lost in life. I was using your post on ‘What do we need when we are feeling intimidated?’, and then I was thinking that I needed to clarify about the lie ‘I am not good enough’. It does not mean we are already good enough. Then your post came in this morning, and I find your use of that scripture in Galatians so illuminating. Thanks!! I will be sharing part of this tonight too. May God bless us and the sisters we are helping.
Holly, I read your blog on Holy confidence last night and am so blessed by the scripture the Lord gave me. Which bible translation did that come form? I have the amplified and it is close but the translation you posted really spoke loudly to me. I have been making a stand against rejection and this scripture is perfect. God bless you abundantly for the beautiful words you share in your walk with him. I do not have a blog, but I am waiting on the Lord for His purposes.
It’s the NLT translation. 🙂
Holy Confidence! Wow, I like it. In reading your post today, I realize for me self-confidence is not the issue it has more to do with the feeling I am not good enough. Wow, what a helpful post. Thank you!
The battle is not yours,it is the Lord’s.be still,read this in exdious14.when I was having a stressful moment in my life this week.god is always there.we just have to reach out.devotiinals can be right on.i carry them on my phone.wben I am slipping,god reminds me grab a hold.
So I heard the enemy say, “you’ll never make it”…”you’re so full of it”… “you’re rotten” … so I agreed with Him…and then, I was led to praising my God, that He is my Saviour, who came to rescue me…and the enemy had to flee…he couldn’t stand it…he was shown up for being the accuser, the liar, the offender…my God is an awesome God. I hear the Lord call my name; He is the Good Shepherd. I hear His voice only. I hear NOT the voice of the stranger. Praise be to God!
Wow–a two-word statement that presents positive truth in rebuttal to every negative thought: BUT JESUS! Simple, memorable, and POWERFUL! Am going to write it on a Post-It for over my desk as a reminder that his grace is sufficient to cover every imperfection and inadequacy. Praise God!!
Wow! What lies we believe and how amazing that God turns those lies into truths. Thank you for the reminder to always be still before Him. 🙂
This looks like a great book, Holly. Thanks for admitting your own challenges as it makes us all realize that we have a common problem and that maybe we’re not all so uniquely challenged. Blessings as you work your way through this book!