Is the Phrase "You are Good Enough" Biblical?
You Are Good Enough
I want to shatter a myth—an idea—that’s floating around the church, and really, in our culture. And it’s this phrase: you are good enough!
Ever heard that? Yeah, me too.
I know the intentions behind this phrase are good and well, but it’s also misleading. Especially for people longing to feel good enough. Who are struggling with value and worth. Which is me.
I’m not good enough.
It’s the phrase I’ve played in my mind thousands of times since I was a child. It’s been my Achilles heel. Literally, the one sentence I’ve struggled with the most in my life. And for so long, I’ve tirelessly toiled away to prove these words aren’t true about me. That I am good enough.
I’ve tried to be the best wife, mother, pastor, writer, friend, family member, etc. I’ve wanted to show myself, and the world, that I was good enough. And ultimately, that I did matter. That I had value.
But all the striving in the world has left me exhausted. I mean, honestly. It’s left me worn out and broken down. No matter how hard I have worked to be a good enough wife, mom, pastor, and friend, I have often come up short. Every time. And you know what, it’s incredibly discouraging.
I mean, do you relate? Have you fought to prove your value and worth by being good enough? It’s rough, isn’t it?
Well, a shift took place for me when I was feeling particularly defeated and I’m going to fill you in on what God spoke to my heart. It actually surprised me, too! A few months ago, I heard the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit speak into my weary heart something I never expected to hear:
“What if you aren’t good enough?”
I quickly reacted and thought, Surely you don’t mean that. God?! I fought it. I said, We are told time and again that we are good enough and we should fight any lie that says otherwise.
But if I’m honest, there is some truth to this phrase. Because you know what?
I’m not good enough. [GASP!] I know! I was just as shocked as you might be!
Misleading Theologies
Truth is, none of us are capable to pull off our purpose, or tackle the obstacle, or walk through the valley faithfully alone. We are limited in our humanity. We just don’t have it in us to do what only God can do.
We are undeserving and it’s this awareness that makes the Gospel so much sweeter. You and I haven’t earned any good gift and yet the Father chooses to lavish us with them anyway.
James 1:17 says, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
We aren’t deserving of salvation. We also haven’t earned daily mercy, provision for our needs, or the precious memories we’ve collected with loved ones. But God gives it all to us. He takes care of us. And He alone does what we can’t do.
I want to get back to this myth in the Church…that we are good enough.
One popular message going around right now, in Rachel Hollis’ Girl, Wash Your Face, is that you are the hero of your story. And you know what: that’s completely false. You are not your own hero and that’s a very dangerous message to both proclaim and believe. Christ is the hero. That’s it. That’s the Gospel. The whole Bible points to Jesus rescuing us. He is the hero and anyone who says differently—who says who are the hero—is teaching you a false gospel.
I don't know a single person with spiritual maturity and strong Biblical knowledge who endorses this theology. Listen, Rachel has some great content and she’s encouraging, but thousands of women are being redirected from true provision and reliance on God to self-reliance, and the Bible has lots to say about how dangerous that is. Her teaching is leading a lot of people—Christian women who don’t know the difference—from a Christ-centered gospel and the Bible warns against that.
The prosperity gospel is also misleading—using God as a way to benefit yourself. Recently I heard Victoria Osteen on a very popular podcast and she talked about how everything you need is in you and that God will never put you somewhere that you aren’t prepared for. That’s far from true because the thing is, we are very much lacking and NEED Jesus to help us. That’s another phrase going around--that God will never give you more than you can handle...but again, false. He will put us in situations where we fall short so that we’ll lean on His strength...not our own. Where are weaknesses flare up, so that He can show up.
But What Does the Bible Say?
None of us are good enough to be a child of God. But He chooses us. If you’re a spouse or parent, you won’t be able to be everything your family needs. Neither are you capable in your own strength to reach your potential as you lead, care for, or inspire others. But God equips you to be His vessel. God uses you in spite of your weaknesses and empowers you where you don’t measure up.
In 2 Corinthians 10-12, Paul spoke of his weaknesses. And this is so very important...the heart of this post. Paul had plenty of accomplishments to boast about but he decided he’d rather talk about his failings for the sake of Christ.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Here’s the truth we often resist: weakness is an avenue for God’s power to be made perfect. When you attempt to tackle life in your own strength, you’re essentially saying you don’t need help. That you don’t need Him. Which is pride. Listen, any thought or action that removes God from the equation is sin.
Here’s one key to a flourishing life: when you admit you do have weaknesses and—instead of fighting them—lean into them, His power floods into any gaps you have.
And when that happens, God gets the glory.
Instead of fighting and striving for worth, instead of proving you are good enough, what if you simply leaned into your weaknesses a bit more? Certainly, give your all and do your creative best with what has been given to you. However, stop toiling away and depleting your energy when God has all the power you could ever need.
The next time you feel like you aren’t measuring up at home, work, or in ministry, stop and pray. Invite the Holy Spirit to empower you to be a Spirit-filled parent, spouse, friend, leader, and employee. When you realize that your weaknesses are actually beautiful places for God to shine, you’ll take a deep breath and let go of the expectations. You’ll rest in His provision. And next time you hear the words whispering to your weary heart, “You’re not good enough,” you’ll be able to say, “You’re right, I’m not, but my God is and when I’m weak, then I’m strong by His power.”
Can I get an AMEN!?