By Annie Boyd 
There are so many beautiful, meaningful names of our Lord, the truly indescribable one. One of my favorite names of God is El Shaddai, a name used for God seven times in the Old Testament. I recently read that it means “the God who is enough,” “our sustainer,” or “all sufficient one.”
For me, it is easy to apply this name of God, El Shaddai, to the grand things he’s done that have been recorded in the Bible. I know that he is the commanding God that created the universe, that gave Sarah a child when she should have been too old, and who rescued an entire nation from Egypt by parting the Red Sea. I know that he is the powerful God who worked through David to defeat Goliath, rescued three men from Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace, and who instructed a large fish to swallow Jonah to complete his plan. And I know that he is the mighty one who walked on water and was the atoning sacrifice for ALL of our sins.
And although it is easy for me to think of God as the mighty one who has done all of these amazing things, it’s sometimes hard for me to think of him as El Shaddai in my own personal life. What does the name El Shaddai mean to me today? How does the name El Shaddai apply to me, a women who has been given the responsibility to love my husband, manage my home, and train my five little ones day after day, and to complete these tasks in such a way that honors my Lord?
Lately I’ve been reflecting on MY El Shaddai, MY sustainer, MY all sufficient one, and MY God who is enough. As I think about what those names mean to me, and I apply them to my prayer life as I walk through each day, it really changes things.
Let me show you what I mean.
El Shaddai: My Sustainer.
If he my sustainer, then he gives me the strength to get through each day. My prayers begin to sound like this:
“Lord, give me the strength to get this laundry done and put away today.”
“Give me the motivation to train my kids in godliness today.”
“Give me the endurance to make it through this day without shouting at my kids.”
Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.”
El Shaddai: The God Who Is Enough
If he is my God who is enough, then he will give our family exactly what we need. He will not only provide for physical needs but for emotional needs as well. My prayers begin to sound like this:
“God, give me contentment in my home and in my role as a wife and mother.”
“Provide groceries and books and clothes for our family.”
“Give me your peace and quietness today as I move through completing my responsibilities.”
Matthew 6:8 says “For your father knows what you need before you ask him.”
El Shaddai: The All Sufficient One
If he is my all sufficient one, then he is able to do things that I am not able to do. My prayers begin to sound like this:
“Father, give me the courage to talk to my neighbor about a relationship with you.”
“Give me the wisdom to be a godly wife.”
“Give me the patience to be gentle and kind with my little ones.”
“Give me forgiveness for my husband.”
“Compel me to get out of bed in the early mornings to spend more time with you.”
Psalm 31:3 For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.”
Friend, let me encourage you today to start seeing our God as El Shaddai, YOUR sustainer, YOUR God who is enough, and YOUR all sufficient one. He truly loves and cares for you so much and wants you to rely fully on him.
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