Good Enough: Why the Inner Critic Doesn’t Get the Last Word (Part 3)

I was meditating on Psalm 23 this morning, reading it for probably the 2,000th time in my life. Maybe it’s because my mind has been on this “I AM ENOUGH” theme, but it seemed to resonate at a whole new level today. The writer of the Psalm, King David—former shepherd, now warrior and royalty—shares that he finds everything he needs to feel safety, comfort, and contentment in his state of being “a sheep” of the Good Shepherd, the Lord God. Do you hear his solid, firm assurance, his absolute trust and hope in that first line: The Lord is my Shepherd, and I lack nothing!

There is nothing else I need.

There is nothing else I need to be.

Knowing the Lord is my Shepherd, I AM ENOUGH!

I love the picture he paints to emphasize this in imagining that God puts on a celebration spread (v 5) “You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies.”—not one day in heaven, after he has faithfully weathered all the grim battles that his enemies have waged against him. But right in the midst of the mess, right out there in the open, enemies watching, no doubt with chagrin that this “sheep” has the fearlessness to ignore their threats and taunts and enjoy a feast, in spite of everything they are trying to hurl at him. Does this battle sound familiar?

If you’re still tuned in with me from last time, I was thinking about the poor victims of all that bullying and brutal personal attacks through social media. Words and pictures and lies that are literally killing our young people from the inside out.

This makes me wonder: Don’t you wish King David’s story in Psalm 23 could be their story too?

Don’t you long for the scenario of a cyber bully hurling lies, insults, and postings on an online venue to try to destroy someone's reputation, being met with the potential victim’s “I really don’t care what you think!” response? I sure do!

“But it’s not that simple!”, I can hear you rebuffing, with frustration.

Isn’t it?

No!

Why?

Because those posts have now influenced dozens of other people against me, and now, I don’t have ANY FRIENDS!

Friends?

Now, I feel completely alone, laughed at, and looked down on, both behind my back and to my face.

Hmmmm? Sounds like someone else I’ve heard about.

Who?

Jesus! Just sayin’….

There are so many scriptures that not only warn us about how hard life can and will be, but also how to handle it. How to not just survive, but thrive. And Jesus, through personal life experience, is our super model; super role-model, that is 😊

Being rooted in God’s love, receiving the grace of Jesus, and living in the presence of the Holy Spirit are the best ways to survive and thrive in life.

Let me take that one step further...

It is the ONLY way to truly thrive and know you are enough.

Matthew 11:28-30 The Message translation:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me, and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me, and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

There’s no greater invitation to realize you are enough—and it’s free!

Carol is a graduate of the 3-year Emmaus Formation Centre Certificate program for Spiritual Direction. She also brings 30+ years of leadership experience in the Christian, evangelical tradition where she offered pastoral care and chaplaincy support for many throughout life’s challenges. She began her private spiritual direction practice in 2020 and her passion is to be a companion for others on their spiritual journey, and help them to find renewed joy, hope and rest in their relationship with God.