Have you seen the new Inside Out 2 movie yet? The movie follows the young teenager Riley as she continues to learn about emotions, including new ones that introduce themselves this time. I love a good movie that can teach all ages about the importance of identify and processing your emotions. In speaking with family and friends that have seen the film, we all agree that there are several scenes towards the end of the movie that are spot-on to emotions and experiences that we all have felt and experienced. One small spoiler if you haven’t seen the movie, there’s a seen where Riley’s emotions have now created a new thought pattern that play over and over again in her mind: “I’m not good enough”. Here’s the scene if you’re interested:
You can see from Riley’s face that this thought is destructive to her mindset. The character Anxiety tries to justify the statement to say, “She just knows there’s always room for self-improvement; she’ll be fine.”
I think part of the human experience that any of us with a pulse would validate is that we’ve all told ourselves that for a variety of reasons, we’re not good enough. And when that thought process spirals out of control it becomes destructive. I’ve battled this thought pattern myself personally, and I’ve had friends that have struggled with the same thing as well. Anytime that I’m wrestling with something, I consider what God’s Word says. It’s from His Word where I can ground myself on the truth and find freedom. When your mind starts to repeat that you’re not good enough, here are some truths you can declare:
You weren’t meant to be complete on your own. We were created for connection to Christ. And it’s in Christ that we’re complete.
“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10
Scripture is filled with the phrase “In Christ”. It appears 164 times in Paul’s letters alone and 35 times in the book of Ephesians. In Christ we find our fulfillment, unity and radical transformation.
Any “gap” of not feeling good enough could demonstrate that your identity if falsely being placed on or in something that it was never supposed to be tied to. For example, in the Inside Out 2 movie, Riley was beginning to place her worth and identity in whether or not she made the hockey team that she was trying out for. The correction to all of this is to re-align your true identity in who you are in Christ. There are so many scriptures on your identity in Christ, but here’s one of my favorites:
John 3:1 tells us, “See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!"
A lighter, and sometimes comical side to the feeling of not being good enough is that maybe we’re trying to do something that God has never asked us to do. We’re not meant to excel in every little thing that we attempt to do. Nor are we always called to do everything that we attempt. It’s ok sometimes to truly say you’re not good enough and walk away. Stick to the part you’ve been asked to play.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 shares about how we all have a part to play in the body of Christ. Our part is to know what our role is and show up to provide that value.
Trying to do something on our own or in our own strength and not inviting God to lead, guide and direct us will always lead us to feel like we’re not good enough. We’re not meant to do everything on our own. God longs to be our good shepherd. Psalms 23 is a great example of this.
“He renews my strength, He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.” Psalms 23:3
We can use the phrase, “I’m not good enough” to give us false motivation for self improvement. Just like the character Anxiety said in the movie, “She just knows there’s always room for self-improvement; she’ll be fine.” But God’s Word says that we can rest in God and stop all striving.
“Cease striving and know that I am God.” Psalms 46:10 NASB
“I’m not good enough” can have roots in fear. It can become a phrase that we use to hold ourselves back from progressing or doing the work that we’re called to do. We can rest in knowing that God equips us and doesn’t call us to have a spirit of fear.
“May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.” Hebrews 13:21
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Another interesting take on the thought of “I’m not good enough” is that it’s actually a form of pride. According to Lea McMahon, a licensed professional counselor, “low self-esteem and self-worth can be a significant root of pride. When people feel bad about their flaws and insecurities, they may try to mask them with pride. This can be an internalized form of pride that can appear humble.” The solution? Focus less on yourself and why you think you’re not worthy. Instead, root your self esteem in knowing that you are worthy of God’s love, grace and forgiveness.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is.” Ephesians 3:18
We also need to cultivate the soil that we’re planting our thoughts in. When I asked my daughter Olivia (8 years old) what she would say to a friend if they kept having the negative thoughts that they weren’t good enough, she pointed me to the parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-9. Some of the seeds that the farmer threw out fell on rocky soil, some seeds fell on soil near thorns and other seeds fell on fertile soil. It’s important that we read God’s Word and have a relationship with Him so that we can ask Him for His help when we have negative thoughts. His Word can make our minds like the fertile soil. [Great advice Olivia! 😊]
I heard an interesting quote the other day that said, “Feelings are meant to be followers. They make terrible leaders.” Isn’t that so true? Don’t get me wrong, I love that God made us with emotions and they’re an important part of us all, but we can’t let our emotions lead to some potentially damaging thoughts. So, lead with the truth, knowing that in Christ, you ARE enough. 😊
What would you add to the list? Feel free to share in the comments.
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