Not Enough

Today, I am going to be doing something I never, in a million years, imagined that I would do in a Christian blog…

I’m going to reference an Amy Schumer movie.

I know, no one is more shocked than I.

BUT…

It’s kind of perfect.

So without further ado and with a spoiler alert warning, I will proceed to compare an Amy Schumer movie with the Bible…buckle up.

So I went with a couple of girlfriends to watch the movie “I feel Pretty” and was shocked at the relevance of this movie.

Basically, the premise is that Amy Schumer’s character, Renee Barrett, is a woman that doesn’t feel like she’s enough…

Pretty enough…

Thin enough…

Smart enough…

…just not enough…

Anyone else struggle with this?

Then, she get’s a blow to the noodle and suddenly she’s convinced she’s super model gorgeous.

Before, she was very reserved, didn’t like taking risks; for instance, she didn’t go out for her dream job because she didn’t think she was attractive enough to be hired for it.  After, she was a dynamic force to be reckoned with.  She had this insane level of confidence that propelled her forward and drew people to her.

Literally nothing changed…she was the same person (and wore the same clothes, why that wasn’t a clue)… BUT… she was just able to be her authentic self because she now had the confidence to support her authentic self.

This is why it’s so mind blowing to me.

I too struggle with the ‘not enough’ mentality.

I don’t think I’m…

pretty enough…

thin enough…

smart enough…

… just not enough.

And it ABSOLUTELY impacts my life.

Swimming suit season is coming up and I am DREADING IT.  We always get a pool pass, and I would rather get a root canal than spend an afternoon in my bathing suit.

I second guess my writing, assuming that it’s not good enough and people are just being kind; I procrastinate on my videos because I am convinced no one will watch them; I wear long sleeve in the summer because I don’t like my arms.  I am rarely in pictures with my kids, certainly NEVER a full body picture.  And, just recently, I asked my husband to delete a picture from social media that he took of me on my birthday because I hated the way it looked.

So I went to this movie because, like the character, I wonder what it would be like, for just a moment, to be undeniably enough.

This may come as a shock to some of you, but this is an example of how Satan attacks us.

I know what you’re thinking.

Really April, that’s a little far fetched. He uses my self esteem issues to torment me?

Ummmm….yeah… 100%.

And he gets away with it because we don’t recognize it as an attack, therefore we don’t fight it properly.

It’s perfectly diabolical and, more importantly, it’s insanely effective.

So what do we do? What’s our battle strategy?

Step 1: Be nice to yourself

Women are the absolute worst at this. We are constantly putting ourselves down. Don’t believe me? The next time you’re in a group of females, complement one, the insults will fly.

So, next time you’re in front of the mirror, instead of focusing on your flaws, say something nice about yourself.

Maybe you have a stunning smile,

Or dazzling eyes,

Maybe your outfit is on point.

Just take a moment and appreciate yourself, and do it without dwelling on your flaws.

Step 2: Look up some scriptures about how God feels about you and start reading and meditating on them. Maybe even memorize one or two. The best way to combat the lies from our enemy is with the truth of God. So open up the Word and adopt God’s opinion about His creation (that’s you).

Step 3: Full disclosure, I’m shamelessly stealing this from the Tomlin concert I just attended. Don’t worry about not being enough, worship your creator and give Him praise for all the gifts He’s given you. Stop worrying about what people think and start worshipping God.

When those doubts and fears start creeping in, just turn on some Jesus tunes and get your praise on.

I challenge you this week to work on these steps. Do these things and you won’t be worrying about being good enough, because you’ll be convinced you’re more than enough.

Bonus step, since we’re all in this together, and since most women struggle with this. Let’s start building each other up, start straightening each other’s tiaras.

And please, ladies, if someone pays you a compliment, just say ‘thank you.’