Enough
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5
Over the past couple of weeks, I have made an effort to watch the Winter Olympics. I can’t help but imagine that for the athletes who trained for years and still fell short of gold, the first thought that crept in was, “I should have done more.” Have you ever felt that way—like you didn’t measure up or couldn’t quite live up to expectations? I know I have.
Maybe it was trying to meet the standards of a coach. Maybe it was a striving for a boss's approval. Maybe it felt like living in a sibling's shadow, always comparing and never quite measuring up. Or maybe it’s the daily pressure of balancing work and family, being stretched thin, and feeling like you’re falling short in both. Perhaps it shows up in your faith walk, wondering if you’re a “good enough” Christian.
I wonder if Abraham had similar feelings. In Genesis 12, God first calls Abram (later known as Abraham) to leave his life as he knew it in Haran and move to a foreign land, and promises to make him into a great nation. Interestingly, Abraham was 75 years old at this time and had no children since his wife, Sarai (later known as Sarah), was barren. In Genesis 15, God enacts a covenant with Abraham, promising him land and a son. In Genesis 17:1, God reveals Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai. He declares, “I am God Almighty; Live in my presence and be blameless.” This declaration assured Abraham that the promise would be fulfilled by God’s power, not by his own human effort, underscoring God's ability to do the impossible.
However, when things did not happen in the time Abraham and Sarah needed for them to, they tried to fix the situation with their own human effort by setting a plan in motion in which Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, would give Abraham a child. Despite this lack of obedience, Sarah eventually becomes pregnant and gives birth to Isaac. They were 100 years old! The promise of a child had been fulfilled. We later see that God did indeed make Abraham’s name into a great nation! Only God could do both of those things.
El Shaddai means Almighty God or All-Sufficient One. It appears six more times in the Old Testament and is the name by which God was known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All-sufficient means that God is completely enough in Himself, that God was fully enough in every way. He depends on no one or nothing. He is completely self-sustaining.
Not only is God self-sufficient, but He is also sufficient for us. He does not lack power, wisdom, resources, or ability, and He is fully able to meet every need according to His will. He is not limited by our weakness, excuses, or circumstances. What feels impossible to us is fully within His authority. The same God who brought life from Sarah’s barren womb is able to sustain, provide, and accomplish His purposes in us.
When we feel inadequate, He is enough. When we are in need, He provides. When our strength runs out, He sustains. When we attempt to take things into our own hands, He steps in and fixes our messes. When we need redemption and restoration, He brings salvation. It does not mean we will always get everything we want, but it does mean we will never lack what we truly need to accomplish His will. God is not just powerful; He is enough!
Call to Action
If you are struggling to be enough in any area of your life, turn that over to God and allow Him to be your sufficiency.
Start each day with dependence on God, acknowledging your need for HIm and relinquishing your self-sufficiency.
Replace your internal dialogue of ‘I can’t’ with ‘He is enough.’
Confess and repent of times when you have taken control of situations instead of allowing God to lead. Ask Him to take over and direct your steps.
Digging Deeper
Check out the other six times El Shaddai is in the Old Testament: Genesis 28:3, Genesis 35:11, Genesis 43:14, Genesis 48:3, Exodus 6:3, Ezekiel 10:5. Here are some other verses about God’s sufficiency: 2 Corinthians 9:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:13 and 19, and Ephesians 3:19.
Prayer
Almighty God, I acknowledge that You are all-sufficient. When I struggle with feelings of not being enough, teach me to rely on and trust You. Forgive me for times when I try to be self-sufficient instead of depending on you. Help me to find my strength and rest in You.
Copyright © 2026 Kyle Cravens