Monday Motivational

MONDAY MOTIVATIONAL: For the online Bible Study I am a part of I was asked to share how I have overcome the comparison trap. I thought I would share it here as well. While I would love to tell you that I have completely overcome comparison, I do not believe it is something that we will ever COMPLETELY overcome. However, there are some things that I have learned along the way, that helps to keep comparison at bay, or at least manageable. 1) Comparison is a JOY stealer! When we take our eyes off of God and put them on another person and we start seeing that they have all this "good" stuff going on, it starts that bitter root of discontentment. When we allow that to fester and grow, it can cause some major issues in our lives. That discontentment says to God that we are not happy with where He has placed us and the circumstances that He has placed us in. It tells God that we think we know better than Him. The truth is, we do not know the road that someone else is walking, and just because it "looks" good, does not make it good. We need to focus on the truth of our own situation. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for each of us. Our plan is OUR plan, He has a plan for our friend/neighbor/spouse etc. that is THEIR plan, no need to compare, He has plans for all of us. 2) The world will throw lies at us and knock us down, no need to tear our own selves down. When you start think you are not good enough, not pretty enough, not skinny enough, do not have enough money, kids, your house is not big enough etc, I am going to ask you to STOP! God knit us together exactly how HE wanted us to be!! (Psalm 139:3). I point you back to God has a plan for each of us, and He designed us the way He wanted us. You know that crazy hair you hate? Yeah, God gave that to you. The funny shape of your nose? Yeah, God did that as well. EMBRACE how God made you. Thank Him that He did not make us all the same, He made us all different and the world is a better place because of it. When you fully embrace who you are, quirky looks or personality, you will be SO MUCH HAPPIER!! When you truly know that you are a child of the King and He made you EXACTLY how He wanted you, then you will not feel the need to compare yourself to someone else. If you have not truly embraced these TRUTHS from Scripture, I would advise you to do so, it will make your life so much better. "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32)." 3) When you are allowing yourself to wallow in bitterness, self-pity, etc., the devil has you right where he wants you. When you are wallowing you are not praising God. If you truly cannot find ANYTHING that is praise worthy in your situation, I would tell you to simply say the name, "Jesus." Over and over again until you can say more of a prayer. This will help to reset your mindset and your focus. When you are wallowing you are focused on this world, your feelings and your circumstances, not the the One who can help you through the difficult circumstances you are facing. When you utter the name of Jesus, it helps you to remember that you are not alone, Jesus is always there with us, and He is for you, not against you. In chapter 5 of "Why Her," Nicki tells us that when life gives us difficulties, we always have a choice, bitterness or breakthrough (p78). So, I ask you, what do you choose, bitterness or breakthrough? Joy or discontentment? Satan's lies or God's truth? To compare or accept who you are? The choice is yours. Choose wisely.