Back to the Book: God Is Not Enough

posted by Erin Davis on 09/11/12 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: Myself; ; 32 comments

History Lesson: This blog was launched almost five years ago to support the book Lies Young Women Believe written by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh.

Since then, it has taken on a life if its own with a team of writers tackling everything from God's love to college loans to purity. It's all good stuff, but from time to time I want us to move back to the core message of the book. Mainly that we all have a tendency to get tangled up by lies and only God's truth can set us free.

As the discussion group leader for Lies Young Women Believe, I traveled all around the country talking to girls just like you. Out of those conversations Nancy and Dannah identified the top twenty-five lies young women believe. Five years later, I can see that these same lies are still tripping many of us up. That's why we are going to revisit the lies (and God's liberating truth!) in a series I'm calling "Back to the Book."

If you've read the book, or this blog for long, this may feel like covering familiar ground. But since lies have a way of stringing an invisible trip wire for each of us, we could all use a refresher of what to look for. Ready? Let's get back to basics.

Lie: God Is Not Enough
If I were to ask you to identify the biggest lie young women believe, what would you say? That you aren't pretty enough? That you need a boyfriend? That the choices you make now won't affect the future? Those all made the list, but in my opinion they aren't the lie baiting the most girls. The lie catching the most girls in its net is this—God is not enough.

Let's think about it this way: What is it that you feel like you must have in order to live a happy life? Who is it that you feel you absolutely cannot live without?

Accomplishments, relationships, possessions, or creature comforts may be rising in your mind like little red flags that there is a part of you that believes that God is not enough, that God alone cannot satisfy you and give you all that you need in order to live a fulfilled and meaningful life.

Here's a hint to get your mind rolling. As we talked to young women for the book, the main thing that rivaled God for being enough was friends. Many believed that they needed their friends more than God, and they admitted that when they had a problem, needed advice, or wanted someone to celebrate with they ran to their friends first and God as an afterthought. In fact, a whopping 88 percent of the girls we talked to agreed that they needed their friends more than God!

I appreciate their honesty, but it makes me want to send out a red alert to packs of girls everywhere. There's nothing wrong with friends or achievements or family. But nothing can satisfy like God does!

Psalm 73:25 declares, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you."

Let those words soak in for a minute.

Is there anything on earth you desire more than God?
Is there anyone on earth you depend on more than Him?
Is there any accomplishment on earth you want more than you want a relationship with Him?

Did you answer yes to some of those questions? All of them? Have there been seasons in your life when you would have answered yes? Me too.

You see, God is not enough is a boomerang lie. We choose God's truth and make Him the center of our desires, and then the idea that we need something more swings back. We love our friends but choose not to elevate them above Christ, but then ... here comes that old feeling that we need the people in our lives in order to be happy.

That's why it is so important that we come to the feeding trough of God's truth often. We need reminded that God is all we really need. He alone can satisfy.

What is the number one competitor for satisfaction in your life? Leave us a comment below and tell us about it.

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Tabby

Wow
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 1:38 am

I needed this. I definantly believe this lie way too much. I keep thinking that to be happy I have to have a boyfriend. Thanks for pointing out this lie.

Mandie

Thanks, Erin!
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 2:06 am

This might sound crazy, but I feel like the "greatest" satisfaction I could have is to be beautiful -- inside and out.

This was great! I know very well that God is enough. I mean, He created the whole universe with His own hand. Everything is under His command. Yet, there are times when I am depending on someone (not God) to make me happy, to make it right, to make it work. I need to remind myself that God is indeed enough.
Thank you so much, Erin!

Carina

Too Long
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 2:08 am

Wow, it's been a while since I've been on the blog! Too long in fact! I used to read every day on here, but I haven't for quite a while... But I was just checking my email and I saw an email from LYWB for this blog today, and "God's Not Enough" caught my eye... You see, today was a rough day for me, because that lie really got a hold of me. All sorts of thoughts swormed my head today, including, "You're not pretty enough" "Something must be wrong with me because all of my other friends have boyfriends or guys hanging on them, and I sure don't..." etc. etc.

So I praise God, and I thank you, Erin, for posting this exactly when I needed it! God knew I needed to read this, and I'm glad He led me to it. I'm thinking I'll be back on the blog more often now :)

By the way, I absolutely love that verse! It's definitely getting written down and posted in my room where I will see it often! What a reminder!
I found I haven't been living completely for Him, and desiring only Him.

Great great blog! Thanks!

Love To All My Sisters In Christ,
Carina

Gloria

Re:
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 9:16 am

I just started college, and I feel extremely lonely. I don't know anyone, and I look awkward walking around all by myself. And I think if only I have a friend so that I am not so alone. So, having friends would be my biggest satisfaction right now. Last night I cried to God, telling Him about my need for companionship. Guess what, this morning I saw this post, and it is as if God is telling me that He is the friend that I need, that as long as I let Him satisfy me, I will not be lonely anymore.

Thank you so much for the reminder!
God bless you all.

Emma

So true!!
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 9:17 am

I've really been realizing lately that only God can satisfy and only He deserves our complete attention and praise! It's easy to think we need other things to make us happy, but really all I need is Jesus! Of course, as we seek after God He can choose to bless us with friends, etc., but we need to ask Him for grace to help us be ok without all that. Job lived a life that's a great example of this. He chose to praise the Lord even when He lost everything! I've struggled with this in the past, when I just wished a guy would like me, or I would be considered "popular", or I would have more friends. But Jesus comes first, others second, and ourselves last. It's hard, but we need to really ask God to help us fight that battle of lies! He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to rely on other things for our JOY! He wants to have fellowship with other believers and to have relationships with people, but He wants to be our BFF first! Great post! This blog has been such a blessing to me, especially since everyone on here is on the same page! Thank you!

Running the Race together!
~Emma

Blue

Re:
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 11:15 am

I crave deep love from older adults in my life. I want to be loved and understood and comforted, and I think about this more than I think about God.

LindseyV

People
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 11:48 am

But we DO need friends and people to be happy, don't we? Even God doesn't live by Himself...

Arlene

Re:
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 1:21 pm

Thank you, Erin, for your post. Unfortunately, this lie that "God is not enough" is not just believed by younger women, but older women as well. I love the verse you referenced (Ps. 73:25). Another verse that means so much to me is Psalm 63:8 "My soul clings to You; your right hand upholds me." (ESV) Anything or anyone we love more than God can die, leave, forget, or neglect us, but God can't. He truly is the one Constant in our lives, and that's why I know that I can safely "cling" to Him, because He will never leave or ever change!

Blessings,
Arlene

Larissa

Re:
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 3:00 pm

Well, while I believe it by faith, my heart doesn't exactly feel it.
It's difficult to feel God's enough when all you have is Him. But it's also good that all I have is Him, since I have no one else to turn to, I keep growing in faith.
Still, I found that maybe someone would like to address this issue not only for me, but for several young women who feel like this.

Emy-Lou

Gloria
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 3:57 pm

Hey there,
I know EXACTLY what you feel like. I just started college last week, and I also felt so awkward walking around alone. But you just started so you are bound to get some friends soon. Try talking to someone near you in class. I found a friend at the orientation and it just kinda started cuz I felt unsure of what to do so I started asking her what we were supposed to do and following her around. But I still have a class where I dont know anyone and I have two hours before that class when I don't have anyone to hang out with. So dont give up hope and ask God to send you someone or show you someone to be friends with. And like my Mom just said, another thing is to look for someone who looks lonely. Which is scary!
I'll be praying for you.
-Em

victoria

So true!!
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 5:11 pm

I LOVE THIS BLOG! I'm in middle school, with rarely ANY friend time, besides passing in hallways, and 10 min. recess with only SOME of my friends. So now I need to rely on God more and go to him first. [INSTEAD OF MY FRIENDS, OR PARENTS]
I'm now relizing God is more important and I can't go through life with out him :]

Morgan

Re:
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 7:33 pm

This is soo true! I have been pretty upset lately! I moved to other state and I had to leave all of my friends. I want a friend so bad right now. I know God is our friend. I still need girlfriends!!! What do I do??

Mel

Re:
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm

I sometimes feel like i will be satisfied if i am in a relationship w/a guy and getting compliments on appearance /what i do. God has been showing me that these wont satisfy. Still struggle sometimes

Emma

Friendship
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 9:39 pm

yeah I totally understand how a lot of you are feeling. When I first moved to where I live now, I didn't know anyone, and at the time was very shy. I struggled to make friends and was upset about it. My parents and i prayed about continuously and eventually I did make friends! I have gone through times since then when schedules change, and i have to make some new friends, but God always provides. Now I've got a lot of friends, and a smaller group of really good friends. We do need friends, but we need God more, so we need to be satisfied completely in Him. It's not easy, it's so easy to get caught up in other things. We are not settling for less though when we choose God, we are choosing more than we could ever imagine!

Kira

Thanks
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 10:28 pm

my family life is caving in on me right now, and i feel alone sometimes. the craziness of school keeps me distracted during the day, but at night my thoughts about my family go ping-ponging through my head (if i'm actually awake enough to think before i go to sleep!) i've learned to lean on God before all else, because throughout my life, almost everyone has betrayed my trust for some reason or another. thanks for this post... it helps me keep focused on what's really important and who will stay with me even when it seems like my life is exploding into a million pieces.

Allie

funny story...
on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 10:29 pm

I've been living like this for the past two years. I've been miserable. I've been going through a few really tough trials at once (one of them I brought on myself, the rest were out of my control). It's scary. I feel like I'm on my own. I turned to friends, I turned to family, and they let me down. Through all of those let downs, I retreated inward instead of asking God for help.

But I'm afraid to turn to God. I'm afraid that God's going to put me through another trial. I'm afraid that the minute that I turn to God, things will automatically get worse (like they have in the past). It's like He's out to hurt me or something. Anyway, I've read scripture, and I've prayed so much. I've told God all of my concerns, so many times, but I'm still so afraid to trust Him, because I'm afraid He's just going to rip my heart out again. It's like I'm living in this expectancy that my entire life is going to fall apart because God wants to make me a better person. I'm so miserable like this. I'm constantly anxious, so I relieve some of my anxiety by going on the computer (It's become an idol, but I can't get away from it, I do online schooling for medical reasons). I can't even pick up my own bible without feeling a little bit anxious.

I know I have to trust in God, I've read it a million times before I became like this, and I didn't have a problem with it at one point. I've prayed for it so much. I know I have to read my bible, I know I have to pray, I know that. But I just can't get beyond the fact that if I let God in my life, things will inevitably get worse. A lot of my anxiety is medical (I have practically no PEA in my brain, which contributes to really bad anxiety, among other things). But I know this is spiritual. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm being torn apart. I want to trust God, but I just...I don't know. How am I supposed to work through all of this?

Anonoymous 101

Thank-you!!! This hit home!!!:)
on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 12:10 am

Thank-you!

This hit home tonight! One of the words God was giving me tonight was: Nothing is more satisfying then Falling in Love with Jesus!!!

And, I believed that lie about I needed more friends, because I felt so lonely as I'm getting my masters degree, being one of the only Christ-followers at a secular university. And then trying to fill that whole from when something terrible when I was five happened, with music (like kid-happy music!) sugar etc!!

And this really hit home, It's hard when sometimes everyone else seems so much more happier when they all their friends, and seems by myself. But then I realize, that's when God continues to remind me, nothing is more satisfying then FALLING IN LOVE WITH JESUS!!

Even if God has someone in store for you, and not the right timing for you yet!! Thank-you for the reminder!!!:)

It's like I listen to certain happy-child like music that express how I feel, but then I realize it doesn't fill my entire need!

Do you have any other verses you recommend?:)

I could use prayers that God continues to heal and fill that hurt where I was damaged! And God would continue to meet my needs daily!!! Great post!!!

Janice

Re:
on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 2:02 am

I totally agree. I have to admit, that a lot of the times I feel like I'm only stable because of my friends. Thank you for the post, because even though I know in my head that God is enough, I need a reminder to place that thought truly in my heart.
This lie has taken over quite a lot of my life for some time. I go to church and I just feel so pain-stakingly lonely. I don't really know why, but I feel so isolated, which could be my doing as well.
My focus has really been shifted and I want to step back into the purpose God has created. Which is pursuing my precious relationship with him :)

I know it'll be hard, but I know I'm definitely not alone! God is constantly taking me back and I'm so thankful.

God Bless

replies....
on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 10:15 am

The number one reason why I don't think that God is enough is because I don't know how to harness in my heart and mind HOW God can fufill my every desires for love and relationships.
He isn't a human being who can give me a hug, crack a joke,tell me that I look pretty,and most of all,talk to me one on one. Whenever I pray, I feel like I'm talking to the air, or at the most, some stone hard King staring down at the world with mockery in his eyes. The worst thing is that I thought that I was a christian, but here I am now, not even knowing what God is like.

Chistina

My God
on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 10:58 am

For me, God does go first. He is the first most important in my life, my foundation and structure is all on Him. If it weren't for Him, if i thought different then putting Him first, I would crumble. I depend on God, we walk side by side. Yes I fall sometimes, but He is always there holding my hand and I'm gettin right back up.

Been there too
on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 6:36 pm

Hi girls!
I pretty much was nodding my head in agreement with each and every post.
I've been there with the whole lonely thing, I've been there with the bad stuff in the past thing, and I've definitely been there in the hard seasons of life stuff.
What did I learn from all of this:
#1
If I ran from God, instead of to God,
I ended up hurting myself and others around me.
#2
If I put on a facade, and didn't talk to anyone because I was rejecting everyone who had already rejected me; I only hurt myself and prolonged the depression and loneliness.
#3
The more I focused on me, my problems, my hard stuff, the worse off I was.
The more I served others, acted friendly,
and went beyond my comfort zone,
the more fulfilled, content, and joyful I was.
Finally, and most important, when I talked to God,instead of imagining Him looking down at me all scary and disapproving, I imagined Him like He actually is: me sitting in His lap telling Him about my day and He filling in in all the right places.

I don't know if any of this will help, but sometimes it's nice to know others have gone through life similar to you.

cece

@Gloria
on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 8:33 pm

Girl! That's me too! I have been depending on God for comfort alot to file my loneliness. I do really want a friend, but right now I'm gonna focus on being a friend to somebody else.

Lorree, with the LYWB team

To Allie
on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 12:50 pm

I am so sorry, Allie, for the struggles you have gone through and are going through in your young life. I understand your fear of trusting God because of how you have been hurt by individuals in your life. God can be trusted my friend. Trusting Him does not necessarily mean that life will be rosy. But He promises that when we go through trials He will be right there going through them with us (Is. 43:1-3a).

There is nothing in this life that is constant – friends/family will fail us, our health will fail us, our finances may fail us—but God will never fail you. He created you, Allie, and loves you far more than you can imagine. Yes, He will allow things into our lives to test our faith (1 Pet. 1:6-7) and to grow us into the likeness of His son (Rom. 8:29). He will be with us through the testing, strengthening us and growing us as our faith is refined and purified.

I’m praying for you, Allie, and asking God to continue to draw you close to His heart through these difficult times. I’m asking Him to teach you to trust Him and to prove Himself faithful to you. Stay in the Word, my dear friend. It is the lifeline for your soul!

Lorree, with the LYWB team

To Morgan
on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 1:01 pm

Oh, Morgan, how I can identify with you. We just moved, too! It takes time to develop those friendships that we so want! Aren’t you glad that God moved with you, though! He is there to walk with you through this difficult time.

I encourage you to pray and ask Him to bring you some friends who will encourage you in your walk with the Lord. And then keep your eye open for other girls who may appear to be lonely, too.

Don’t sit back and wait for someone to reach out to you. Reach out to the girls you see and invite them over or spend time with them somewhere else. As you begin to reach out to others, they will see what a blessing it will be to have you as a friend. I’m praying for you today, Morgan!

susan

LIES FROM SATAN
on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 3:36 pm

WHAT YOU ARE PRINTING IS A WELL INTENTIONED LIE. God Himself created Eve for Adam stating, "it is not good for man to be alone". If all you needed was God, there would have been no need to create Eve. We are designed for relationship and fellowship. CHRIST DIED for us to have RELATIONSHIP with God. God is a God of RELATIONSHIP, our relationship with Him and with eachother. When you perpetuate the lie you are telling, you make people feel guilty for needing human companionship...and that is a lie from the pit of hell.

Erin Davis

Susan
on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 3:50 pm

Wow. That's some pretty strong language you are using there. I'd encourage you to give yourself a check before you go around accusing your Christian sisters (and brothers) of propitiating lies from the pit of hell.

You are absolutely right that God created us for relationships. God did create Eve as Adam's helper. God himself in the trinity is a relational God.

If you read the breadth of this blog you will find we are huge proponents of healthy friendships and family relationships.

However, when 88% of young women say they need their friends more than God, that is a problem worth addressing.

I am glad you feel comfortable sharing and welcome your insight. However, in the future please avoid accusing me of spreading lies from Satan.

Grace and Peace!

Erin Davis

Brittany

Re:
on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 7:42 pm

Wow, I totally agree and struggle with this alot. I always feel that way when it comes to a guy, since I never really had one, and material things like I need more, but at the end of the day I'm reminded that none of it matters, but God. Also, ever since I've became closer to him, I now know that all I need is him.

Carrie, with the LYWB team

@Anonymous101
on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 6:47 pm

You are so right, friend. There is nothing more satisfying than abandoning ourselves into the depths of Jesus love for us. The result is always increased love for our Savior.

Here are a number of other verses about God’s incredible love for us:
• Zephaniah 3:17
• 1 John 4:16
• Romans 8:37-39
• Isaiah 54:10
• Romans 5:8
• Galatians 2:20
• Ephesians 2:4-5
• 1 John 3:1
• Proverbs 8:17

Praying for complete healing and wholeness for you tonight, dear friend; only His love has the ability to help us extend forgiveness to those who have wounded us so deeply.

Carrie, with the LYWB team

@S.
on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at 7:20 pm

Precious friend, you may be on the verge of discovering the most incredible reality imaginable – the truth about who God really is and how He responds to those He loves so very deeply.

None of us would want to spend much time with one whose heart was stone cold, mocking and distanced from us. But that’s not who our God is, S.! That is so not who He is.

Would you be willing to spend time in His Word each day for the next 30 days asking Him to show you the truth about His character and His ways?

If you’ll take the challenge, this is a great little study that will help you get started: http://store.precept.org/p-1693-the-power-of-knowing-god-40-minute-study.aspx.

Jenna

Thank You!
on Friday, September 21, 2012 at 8:22 pm

Lately I feel like I have been going to friends and family for support because they are tangible, and I need tangible. I am forgetting something else tangible- The Bible! I am going to commit to go to that before friends now. Thanks for this reminder!

God's Girl

Lies, Lies, Lies..
on Sunday, September 23, 2012 at 10:11 pm

I think the top "competitor" for me would be believing the lie that I will never be good enough; whether it's looks, or actions, or abilities, exc. But to be honest I never will be good enough! But that's okay because GOD IS! It's a startling statement to make, and can be somewhat of a disappointing one too. My sin makes me to never be good enough..I am unworthy, and wretched; but Christ overlooked my faults and saw the need. I shouldn't need someone to tell me I'm beautiful, smart, or talented (although it is nice to be told) because I have all the confidence I need in Jesus..He is my strength! And HE is good enough!

Becky

Re:
on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 11:47 pm

I needed this. Thank you!

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