How to Be Authentic in a World Telling You That You Aren't Enough

What does it mean for something to be authentic?

Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real. You might question the authenticity of your eccentric uncle’s photo of a UFO.

The word authenticity is the state of something being authentic, or legitimate and true.

So how can we be our authentic and genuine selves in a world that is constantly telling us who we should be?

I am going to be honest and vulnerable here when I say that this is something that I have always struggled with. I am a people-pleaser by nature (or possibly upbringing), and thought that I was doing a good thing by showing up the way that others expected. But after many years of living this way, I realize that people pleasing hasn’t led to more happiness or friends or freedom. In fact, it has led to burnout, disappointment and more work.

How can you be authentic when you don’t know who you really are?

Part of my writing journey is one of self-discovery. It is taking the sometimes uncomfortable steps of uncovering my genuine self, and expressing myself authentically at the risk that others may not like it… or me. If you are a person who doesn’t care much about what others think about you, this fear may seem nonsensical. But some of us with caring hearts are just wired that way, to think of others and what they think of us. And sometimes it leaves us filled with doubt.

And it is okay to not have everything figured out. Even though social media and other outlets would have us believe that everyone else does, except for us. But the important question is:

Where do you look for comfort, reassurance or guidance?

Do you look to a source that will further conform you to the chaotic ways of the world or to a source that will help you be authentic? Try the things of this world (shopping, eating, drinking, binge watching) and after a while, you will realize that you have been spinning your wheels, often worse off (or more broke) than before.

The Bible tells us that in this life we will have troubles. We get to decide if we want to be out there in the Wild, Wild, West alone, or if we’d rather have the guidance of the One who is over it all.

Can I trust that the person that God made me to be is enough? Can I trust him that the right people will come alongside me and offer grace as I grow and stumble? Vulnerability can be hard, especially if you have been disappointed, left or have experienced loss or rejection.

Check out this related post:

5 Ways to Find Reliable Encouragement & Guidance

Allowing Yourself to be a Beginner

I have a hard time letting myself be a beginner. I have high expectations for myself, but that sometimes keeps me from stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things, even if I feel pretty confident that it’s something that I am meant to do. Can you relate?

Starting something new usually means that you won’t do it perfectly and that you are going to make some mistakes. But I have to remind myself that God has always been faithful in walking right beside me in times when I have stepped out of my comfort zone to do something that I believe He is calling me to do.

Growing in faith is a lifelong process – Just Start!

The thing about faith, about Christianity, is that it is a lifelong process. The most important thing is taking that first step (and then the next.) Because the truth is, without the help of the Holy Spirit, we will never end up where we could. Experience has taught me that we will get there a lot faster with Jesus than if we rely on our own abilities.

I want faith to feel approachable to my readers- because it is!

Sometimes I feel that starting your faith journey is made out to be more complicated than it needs to be. Sure, as you grow in your faith you want to be more of a part of a Christian community like a Bible study or small group, or to start serving others. But I think this can sometimes seem overwhelming to people who are just coming into the fold.

It is not a competition or a race, and everyone will grow in their faith journey at their own pace. Your faith journey is unique to you.

In Luke 15:3-7 Jesus tells the story of a man who leaves the 99 sheep in the flock to find one lost one and Heaven rejoices when that one sheep returns! We need to stop listening to what the world says about our worthiness and start listening to what God says about it. He desires to have a relationship with you, even if (ESPECIALLY IF) you are the sheep who is astray!

Check out some amazing Bible Studies here:

The Top Encouraging Bible Studies & Devotionals for Moms

The world will come at us from many different angles, telling us what we should do, who we should be, what success should look like.

But the only way to discover your true, authentic self is to walk with God and ask Him to reveal to you the unique creation He intended for you to be.

Just a Regular, Everyday Person Wanting to Encourage Other People in their Faith Journeys

I never want to come across as claiming to be “Holier than Thou” in my writing. I don’t come from a family of pastors. I didn’t grow up going to church with my parents. My husband started going to church for the first time after the birth of our son. But we are now strong in our walks with Jesus. It doesn’t matter where or when you start. It matters that you start!

Progress, Not Perfection

In the end, we are called to share the Good News in a way that introduces others to Jesus. And while I am so grateful for (much needed and appreciated) pastors and others in full-time ministry, I also think there is a space for regular, everyday people to introduce you to Him. People who don’t have it all together. Someone who knows what it is to go through loss and grief and pain without relying on Him. But thankfully, now knows how much better life is with Him. Someone who can help you see how you can go from where you are now to where you want or need to be through relationship with Jesus.

I feel secure in my faith and relationship with Jesus, but sometimes I also swear and lose my temper. But I know that thankfully, my eternal salvation is dependent on something much more stable and good than my everyday decisions. It is dependent on the perfect finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

So if any of this sounds interesting to you, join me for future posts on topics like:

What does Jesus dying on the cross mean for us?
What do all of these Christian words mean? (like grace, salvation, justification, etc.)
Do we need to follow the Ten Commandments perfectly to make it to heaven?

Faith is the steadfast anchor that keeps me from losing it in times of uncertainty or trouble!

Faith doesn’t equal perfection, in fact it means quite the opposite. It acknowledges that the most authentic and genuine version of You is NOT perfect. We all need help to hold it all together and become the authentic individuals we were created to be.