I’ve been reading in the early chapters of Judges lately in preparation for the Living Brave retreat in March. Today I reread Judges 6:1-10. I was convicted by the clear connection between the nation of Israel turning from God and the lack of peace and blessing in their lives. Take a minute and read the passage here at Bible Gateway (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges+6%3A1-10&version=NIV).

God reminds Israel of all He did for them and all He gave them—peace and all they would ever need in the Promised Land. God meant for them to live there and enjoy peace and blessing if only they would not “fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live” (verse 10). The prophet ends with God’s last sentence—“But you have not obeyed me” (verse 11).

Israel chose to not trust and obey God. “Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (verse 1). They forfeited their peace and blessing when they said God was not enough. They not only worshipped the idols of the Amorites, they went after their lifestyle. They gave into the secular culture. In doing so they said to God—You’re not enough. We need other gods to worship. We need and want to live the sinful lifestyle of our current culture. The result was lost blessing from God and bondage and destruction from the neighboring Midianites.

I started thinking—where and when in my life do I say to God, “You’re not enough? ”

• Any time I believe He’s holding out on me—that God is not doing His best for me but generously does so for others.
• Any time I believe I’m not enough. The truth is God made me just as He wanted me and I’m in process with Him.
• Any time I believe God has given me more to do than I feel or can imagine I can do.
• Any time I worry or stress.

The truth is God is always more than adequate. 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you (the rest of the verse below).’” God is in control and creator of everything we see and don’t see. Throughout the Bible we see God provide all His people need to do what He gives them to do.

The truth is God does not withhold His good for me. He gave His only perfect, holy Son for an imperfect me. Would He withhold anything from me? Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Also Psalm 84:11, “No good thing does God withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” That’s you and me since we are made clean and perfect by Jesus’ sacrifice of His life for us. Then Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

God makes up for my weaknesses in ways I can’t imagine. When I feel inadequate or in over my head, I must remember the rest of 2 Corinthians 12:9, “for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Yep, God is constantly giving me things to do outside of my comfort zone, but He makes up the difference for what I lack. I learn to know Him and trust Him when I trust Him and go past what I think I am able. I have experienced more times than I can remember.

I am enough because God made me just the way He wanted me to be. Psalm 100:3, “Know that the LORD, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are his.” Psalm 139:13-16, “For You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. . .”

Not only did He make me the way He wanted me, He has His plan for my life under control! Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” God has me!

When I catch myself thinking or acting in a way that says to God, “You’re not enough”, I only need to remember Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” God will take care of everything in my life. He will give me peace even though I don’t have a clue how He will answer my prayers. He will.

I want to always be in a place to receive God’s peace and blessing. That place is a place of trusting God even when the world says, “God is not enough. You need more.”

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God’s got me covered!

Go ahead and be honest with me–Do you believe God’s got you covered?

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.