There was something about Whitney Houston that went beyond the obvious.
Whitney Houston
She was beautiful and arguably the most incredible female voice in musical history. She was undeniably the most awarded female act of all time. Her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner in the 1991 Super Bowl is the best ever. 
(On January 27, 1991—ten days into the Persian Gulf War—Whitney Houston took the field at Tampa Stadium and performed “The Star Spangled Banner”, backed by the Florida Orchestra along with music director Jahja Ling, before 73,813 fans, 115 million viewers in the United States and a worldwide television audience of 750 million.)
The kind words of those closest to her at her funeral following her tragic death could not dispel the sense that all their love, support and care were insufficient to save Whitney from herself.
Not even drugs or alcohol were enough to dull the pain of feeling she wasn’t good enough.
Am I Good Enough?
I’ve struggled with feeling inadequate. Not good enough. Insufficient.
In my lowest moments I’m convinced that “successful” people, like Whitney, never worry about being good enough.
Untrue.
I was caught off guard by her co-star, Kevin Costner’s reflections at her funeral. He said that for all of Houston’s beauty and success, “she was still yearning for approval from the public and somewhat insecure.”
A superstar who still wondered, “Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Will they like me?”
Yes, Jesus Loves Me
Her first songs were sung about Jesus at New Hope Baptist Church in NJ.
Her last song was a line from “Jesus Loves Me” sung at a night club in LA. “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
She died of a drug overdose a few hours after singing the song.
Temptation At The Top
Whitney went where Jesus had been. To the top; to the peak of the highest mountain with the world laying before her.
The Bible says, “…the Devil took him (Jesus) to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel.” Matthew 4:8,9 (The Message)
Whitney heard similar words – “its all yours…you are the greatest.”
Jesus fended off temptation.
Never Out Of Jesus’ Love
There is no way of knowing the depth of Whitney’s agony, but one thing is certain – her tortured soul was never out of Jesus’ love.
Tiffanie Dixon, Whitney’s hair dresser of seven years, says the last thing she remembered Whitney saying was, “I just want to love and be loved. I want to love like Jesus did. Unconditionally.”
Jesus offers a “come as you are” acceptance.
At the end, Jesus’ words to Whitney Houston became, “Come home and rest.”
Kevin Costner said it best at her funeral.
Choking up and pausing as he ended his speech, Costner said, “Off you go Whitney, off you go. Escorted by an army of angels to your heavenly Father. When you sing before him, don’t you worry. You’ll be good enough.”
Have you struggled with feeling “not good enough?” Please join the conversation below.
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Of course I still do sometimes not just with god to I feel not enough even with other people and the people that love me.
Thanks for commenting Amanda. What has helped you the most in facing those feelings and being assured deep down that you are good enough?
With feeling enough for God alpha helped it kinda just hit home that ok I I am enough (like a parent child love) with people being around the right people before I think i was surrounded by negative people now I’m only allow positive people around me they are more supportive and understanding and sometimes i still struggle with it
I like who I am but feel like if people knew the real me they wouldn’t like me. I don’t feel like people accept me and that they want me to change to be who they think I should be. When I hear or see the words “come as you are”, I think and feel that’s for everyone but me. No one else really knows the real me. Some might think they do. This makes me not trust people and spend a lot of time alone. I trust God and know that I am good enough for Him. That matters most to me.
A good verse, “…the love of Christ controls us” 1 Cor. 5:14 and a good book, “The Search For Significance” by Robert S. McGee. Billy Graham said this book is one that should be read by every Christian. It was useful to me.
Thank you so much Pastor Bob. I am going to get this book and read it.
Another great blog Pastor Bob. I think everyone has struggled with that question before…”Am I good enough”? I am so thankful & grateful…after being on this earth for 61 years, I no longer ask that question. As long as I do my best…& I can be satisfied with the way that I conduct myself…which means having integrity, being kind & empathetic, & not being a terrible person…I’m good with that. It’s none of my business what other people think of me. I am only concerned with the way that I treat others. Like the phrase “treat people like you would want to be treated”. That is so very important & that I have a clear conscience and can sleep very well at night…knowing that. As a people pleaser, it has been a journey to get to this point. But, glad that with life experience & maturity…I am there. I feel blessed & grateful to admit that. It doesn’t mean…that it isn’t an ongoing process…because that’s life. Everyone will be constantly challenged by others & different situations. You just have to believe & trust in yourself. And I trust myself wholeheartedly.