It’s funny how much value we place in others’ opinions of ourselves. Just the other day, I was pondering a decision in my life, and one of the factors I was considering when making the decision was how other people would react.
Honestly, I’m glad I was aware enough to catch that thought, because years ago, I probably would not have even noticed.
Why do we place so much value in others’ opinions? What does it matter if they think our decision is good enough?
And to tag onto that – why do we think that reach a certain destination will every actually be enough?
When I make six figures, it’ll be enough money.
When I weigh 130 pounds, my appearance will finally be good enough.
When I get my fourth master’s degree, I’ll be smart enough.
Who are we trying to prove all of this too? Will it actually be enough when we do reach that point?
I would argue no – there is no end point that is “enough.” Our lives are journeys without a destination to achieve here on earth (that comes later with heaven). We will never be enough if we are constantly striving for the next big thing – to be pretty enough, smart enough, thin enough, rich enough. It’s a rat race no one will ever win because everyone can only lose.
I’ve heard numerous people say, “I wish I realized when I was younger just how thin I really was. I didn’t realize it at the time – I thought I was fat!” Back then even when you were what you consider thin, it obviously wasn’t enough at the time.
We will never be enough if we are constantly trying to conform to societal norms and others’ opinions. We will never be happy if we allow others to rule our lives and our happiness. We will never reach that ultimate destination we are constantly striving for unless we realize that we are enough, right now, in this very moment.
God created us for so much more than worry and fear about whether or not we are enough. He created us to be unique and to love and serve him through our thoughts, words, and actions. When we do that, we will finally reach that final destination – heaven.
xoxo Olivia
