I never feel like I am good enough. I don't feel beautiful; I always feel overwhelmed; and I struggle to see myself as God sees me. How do I combat the lies of the enemy?

By Layna Stafford

Battling our own voice of criticism as a woman can be incredibly challenging. No one can judge us like WE can. We find areas of external and internal weaknesses, and we can destroy ourselves by focusing on them.

I often think, if only my nose were smaller, I would be so much happier...confident...content! If only this nose weren't so big, think of the things I could do for Jesus!

But that's a lie. 

"The only sure rendering of how we ought to be is the Bible. Therefore do not be undone by criticisms not rooted there."  - John Piper 

Jesus doesn't say I must be 120 pounds to be good enough to be used by Him. If Jesus doesn't say, in order to be used for his kingdom, I have to be type A, or have a big personality, or be able to make people laugh, or have a small nose...then I should NOT let myself be undone by that criticism (even if it's in my own mind).

Instead, I can fight these thoughts with Scripture. I can flip it with an amazing verse that is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

If I will boast in my weaknesses, really boast in them...I will be fighting Satan who lies to me. I will be fighting my own mind and flesh that war against Jesus. I will be fighting the lie that these weaknesses make me not good enough! 

So I will boast in my big nose. I will shout "Yes, my nose is huge and I will use it to lead someone to Christ!" It was put on my face for a reason--He gave me this "weakness" and God will make His power more evident through this and every weakness I have.


Sound crazy? Well, I dare you to try it! In your car today...shout out your weakness! Shout it out loud and boast in how God can use any weakness. And your "nose" may just be how God shows His power!

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