When God Doesn’t Feel Like Enough

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28–31, NIV).

Have you ever felt like you were pretty good in your own strength?

For me, I tend to get by with my spunky, full-of-life personality. Usually it keeps me from staying down. Ooh! Ooh! Pick me! Pick me! That’s how I feel most days. Because of all God has helped me overcome, I am just so excited about life. Sounds weird, but it’s true. I wonder if you ever think about what gets you through the day. Your own strength? Coffee? Lots of coffee?

Thankfully, our only hope is found in Christ. Eventually our strength runs out and we can’t imagine what it feels like to hope. It’s crazy how one minute we’re on top of the world, and the next we’re in a puddle on the floor. I wonder if you’re like me in that you often lean on your own strength and understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

The more I feel like I’ve got this, God, that’s when I am truly in danger of losing my hope. It’s the habits of spending time with God through reading the Bible, daily devotionals, prayer, and praise that keep me covered. You too! Which leads me to my next question: How the heck is God not enough? No, seriously! If we know these things and even do them often, how is it that we lose our strength? Our hope?

Let’s ask David. Over and over he wrote in the Psalms, “Why have you forsaken me?” And Jesus said the same thing while on earth (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46).

When you and I are in the midst of suffering, we need passionate patience. What do I mean by that? God can handle your passionate sobbing fits. He can handle your words. Stop pretending everything is okay. Stop pretending. Just tell God that it feels like He is not enough. Even if everywhere you turn panic attacks scourge your mind, throat, and body. Maybe you feel choked to death. There have been a few times when I’ve asked God to take away my ministry of writing, teaching, and speaking because I was afraid I wasn’t adequate enough. I’m so glad He calmly and peacefully took over.

“A confident woman wants to know who God created her to be. She is comfortable saying ‘no’ to some things so that she can say ‘yes’ to living the life God wants her to live. She is intentional and secure about pursuing the spiritual purpose God has for her.”

In all your worries and “what if’s” concerning the future, can you confidently say God has been faithful? You should because God is not one to change His mind or misdirect your paths. He keeps your feet from slipping, not once, not twice, but many, many times. Timothy, a young apostle for Christ with many health issues said, “If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is” (2 Timothy 2:12–14, NLT). Can the same be said of your life, even when God doesn’t feel like enough in the moment?

This post has been excerpted from Dream Devotional: 40 Days of Hope by Renee Fisher. Used with permission © 2014.