When God Doesn’t Feel Like Enough

There have been seasons in my life when God doesn’t feel like enough. The problem seems bigger, the trial seems longer, the weight of whatever is pressing down seems heavier than a God who promises to lift our burdens.

But then, in retrospect, I realized, I had demanded things from God I wasn’t giving; whether it be my time, my health, my efforts, or my mind.

I asked God to enter, help me, carry something in me, but I never gave it to Him in the first place. I held tight to my ideals, my issues, my worries, my behaviors…

Yet God? He is not going to wrestle us for what we are tightly gripping. He will not coerce, pry, or demand we give Him what we need to get rid of, so He can work in our lives.

We must, by faith, willingly give it first, then He promises to work.

I open my Bible and read about Haggai, amid 520 B.C.

God gives Haggai a message for the returned exiles, calling for a collaboration of the prophetic, priestly, and political leadership, so that God’s will can be accomplished amongst His people.

The message is not gentle, but addresses not only the heart, but works of His people. Let’s jump off in Chapter 1, verse 6:

“You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, byou are not filled with drink; you clothe yourself, but no one is warm;; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

This is God’s word to His people. It is to a people busy building houses for themselves, yet neglecting to build, God’s church.

At the time, people had turned from God’s house. Our of fear and lack, all their efforts were put into focusing on their own houses, building their own kingdoms. Do we ever see that happening today? 

As a result, people never produced any lasting results. They were simply, “earning wages to put into a bag with holes.” Basically, their lives was self-focused, not glorifying God.

What I find interesting is that the peope, weren’t just not building the temple, God’s house…they were also using their poverty as an excuse not to build the place God longed to dwell.

As a result, like hamsters on a wheel, they were striving, but producing little, laboring, but not achieving anything.

God doesn’t ask us to earn His favor. He is not an evil task-master, making us do His purposes. He does however, call us to a “Do…..And then.” Kind of life.

In past experiences, God has asked me to do something and THEN I often see blessing. He has called me to “yes” and THEN offers me strength and peace, direction and His presence.

Too often, people wait for a FEELING before stepping out in faith. They wait for riches before giving, for time before attending to His ways, and for strength before buiding God’s kingdom.

People, especially in our culture, often lack faith, wanting tangible evidence before living for God and walking out His purposes. Sound familiar? That’s right, not too different from the days of Haggai, huh?

Oh how I have been guilty of this thinking in the past; wanting all my “ducks to line up” before stepping out. Wanting promise of protection, guarantees of provision, and assurane that what I am undertaking will succeed. But what I have found is, that is not faith.

Jesus called Peter to walk out on water; Moses to lead the freed slaves to a dead end, the Red Sea. He called Abraham to the alter with Isaac, and Mary to carry God’s son before her knowing His redemption plan.

In each and every story, God’s people were shown to be trustworthy, leaning on faith in a God bigger than they were. God did His part and always came through.

Faith giants live focused on the spiritual kingdom of advancing God’s purpose regardless of the cost. The message to them is the same message it is often to us “Do…And then”.

Friends, despite our own self-preservation, fears, or wrong messages, God will show up. He will is faithful to guide, provide, protect, and carry us.

What is God calling you to do today? Where have you been neglecting growing God’s kingdom? What have you put your own priorities in; houses, reputations or kingdoms, before serving Christ?

Haggai’s message from God for His promised people is “I will fill my temple with glory.” (Haggai 2:6) He was refering to a physical building, but God refers to us as His present day temple. Friends, He will fill us, when we focus on building His spiritual kingdom.

When we follow Him, focusing not on our own houses, but the house of His purposes. Our very being will overflow with His glory.

God says, “the silver is Mind, the God is mine” (Haggai 2:8). So, why do we, like in Biblical days, hoard, keep back, rob God by our greed, wallowing in our lack?

If you have areas of your life where God doesn’t feel like enough, step off the hamster wheel of your own tiring self-preservation…

Look to Him. Give to Him. Trust Him. Have faith. God, through His Holy Spirit wants to pour out good gifts to His children, take whatever is in your hands and replace it with His peace and assurance, joy and strength.

Chapter 2, verses 2-4 tell us, “Be strong. Be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and work, for I am with you.”

In God there is no lack, when we put our trust in Him.