How to Silence the “Not Enough” Voice in Your Head

Ever feel like your resources aren’t enough for your need? The job is too hard, the problem too complex, the bill too large… Maybe you wonder if you have enough time or talent to complete your work and make an impact. Or possibly you’ve run out of energy for a challenge you face, or there’s too much month left at the end of your paycheck. Wouldn’t it be great to silence the not enough voices in your head?

Whatever our current not enough may be, God delights to meet us in that place. Here’s a story of how God strengthened me in a time of frustration and discouragement in the midst of writing my first book, Holy in the Moment. To give you a little backstory, I had 4 useable months to write my book and prepare the final manuscript, which is a very quick contract for any author.

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We all face days when we believe with our heads that God is faithful, but we need a boost of encouragement to refuel our weary souls. A month before my deadline, I felt frustrated and discouraged. The deadline for the manuscript weighed heavy on my heart and every word felt forced, awkward, and stiff. I spent hours staring at a blank screen and a blinking curser. hearing the minutes ticking.  Help me, Lord, I prayed.

Working up to a rant, my emotions amplified fears the enemy served to my thoughts: You can’t do this. You’ll never finish on time. You’re going to fail and the book will be terrible. Your not enough.

Blah, blah, blah . . . We often listen to the wrong voices–the nay sayers, the what ifs, and the you’ll nevers that barge into our thoughts in vulnerable moments. It’s all too easy to fritter our attention and energy on our worries, draining confidence and motivation.

Is there a concern that makes your steps heavy and ignites the not enough buzz in your thoughts? You probably aren’t writing a book, but we all face moments of uncertainty that benefit from  a word of reassurance from God. We need His word to be louder than our thoughts of self-doubt or fear.

The best response is to pray in the moment, turning our attention to God’s resources rather than our need and to His truth rather than our perceptions. Envisioning myself tripping just short of the finish line of a race, I prayed, Lord, these are the questions and fears my insecurity shouts, but I rely on You. Enable me to rest in my work, trusting You for the outcome. Please help me finish on time with excellence. 

After dinner, I opened my Bible because that’s how I hear God the most clearly. I needed to counter the uncertainty and spiraling emotions with truth. In the fading light of evening, my scuffed and scratched table became holy ground as God spoke to every concern. I share this not to make everything about me. I hope God will speak to your struggles with the words I share.

I wrote the verses big and bold in my journal like this:

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that ALWAYS having all SUFFICIENCY in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. . . Now He who supplies seed to the sower  [and words for the writer] and bread for food will SUPPLY AND MULTIPLY your seed for sowing and INCREASE THE HARVEST of your righteousness; you will be ENRICHED in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God” (2 Corinthians 9:8-11, emphasis and brackets added).

Taking time to study the words in a passage is one way to amply God’s words over our own. I longed to catch everything God revealed. As I studied, God showed me another passage also using the same word enriched. Failure, my deepest fear in writing the book, evaporated as God spoke through His word.

“That in everything you were ENRICHED in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that YOU ARE NOT LACKING IN ANY GIFT, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:5-7).

[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#amwriting #trustGod”]When I worried I didn’t have what it takes, God reminded me that He gives what it takes.[/tweetthis]

 

Seeds for the sower and words for this writer. The word for not lacking or not coming behind is hystereō (wonder if that has any relationship to hysterical…). Reading the full explanation of the word, I knew that God was drawing my attention to His faithful provision. Not lacking means to not. . .

•  come late or too tardily
•  be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal or fall short of the end
• be inferior in power, influence and rank
•  fail or be wanting
• lack (be inferior) in excellence or worth

When I read the part about finishing the race, I was deeply encouraged by the kindness of God. Experiencing His loving care with such direct encouragement ministered to my heart, settled my emotions, and infused my writing with fresh energy.

[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#amwriting #trustGod”]God’s word speaking our need is a holy moment for silencing fear.[/tweetthis]

What would have I missed if I didn’t give God my attention that night? This wasn’t a case of me trying to be spiritual–I was just trying to survive the moment and stand up under the pressure of a big task. God simply whispered the thought that I needed to listen for His voice in His word and I responded. He did the rest. He showed me a specific passage, nudged me to look up the words, and brought the words to completion. Through the working of the Holy Spirit I  finished a week early to accommodate travel to a speaking event  in California..

Consider the power and help that is yours when you bring your concerns to God. Listening to God’s truth silences the not enough voices in our head. We want the problem to be solved instantly, but God reminds us He is with us in the fight. He gives what is needed to take the next step, asking us hold on to faith, rely on His resources, and trust Him with the outcome.

One moment at a time.

How do you silence the not enough voices in your head? I’d love to know how God is working in your life. Leave a comment and share your thoughts.