Crippling Comparison

Comparison: How it can Cripple you from being Useful for the Kingdom

I am gonna get real with you guys. I find myself scrolling on social media coming across pictures and testimonies of what the Lord is doing in other people's lives and it is AMAZING. Yet, I find myself throwing a big o' pity party for myself, thinking, "Why isn't God using ME like that?" Thoughts such as these are not God honoring! Why? Because these thoughts lead to jealousy, discontentment, and bitterness in our walk with Christ and others walk with Christ.

Hebrews 12:14-15a says,

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.

I really believe that Satan is using thoughts of comparison and jealousy to cripple us from being used to bring Glory to God, which is our SOLE PURPOSE! No one will "obtain the grace of God" when bitterness is in our hearts.

Instead of thinking negative thoughts when we see one of our brothers or sisters in Christ post something about what the Lord is doing in their life or ministry, let's practice these steps:

1. PRAISE the Lord for his goodness and grace in that person's life.

       •   Thank the Lord for that person and for their obedience to God. 

       •   Paul gives us a good example of how we are to do this in Ephesians 1:15-16 where it says, For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

2. Realize that God wants to use each of us in DIFFERENT ways.

       •   God has made each one of us in a unique way and with that uniqueness comes different gifts and different ministries. Do not think that God is not working in your life just because you aren't seeing the same results. 

       •  Let me remind you that it is GOD who is doing the work: 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.…

       •   We tend to get mad because we feel that God hasn't given us the same opportunities as he has given someone else. Well guess what? HE HASN'T! He has people in YOUR life that YOU need to "plant seeds" in.

3. Remember the ULTIMATE Goal

       •   The Gospel being spread to all nations to bring Glory to God is our end goal. 

       •   Are you actively seeking the Lord and being obedient to his leading? OR are you caught up in jealousy and bitterness and it has you crippled? 

Satan wants nothing more than to keep you angry at your siblings in Christ for no good reason! I urge you to repent from the jealousy that is in your heart, like I had to do! Allow the Lord to pour out his grace and strength to empower you to make HIS name known, which is our ultimate goal! 

Running When Everyone’s Watching

What or who is hindering you from running well? What or who is hindering you from obeying the truth? We need to lay those things aside and RUN with endurance.

Today I was at the park and I was alternating between walking and running. I had a specific loop I was on and every time I would be running I would seem to see the same set of people. You see I had them fooled…these people that I passed while I was running thought I had been running the whole time, but in reality I had slowed down and started walking at some point when they weren’t around.

As I kept seeing the same people when I was running they were fooled into thinking that I was running wholly, without taking a break. This reminded me of our Christian life and how sometimes, or all the time, we have this facade that we put on.

We seem to run well when we know people are watching. We speed up, we make sure our form is correct and we try not to breath like we have been holding our breath for five minutes. J Is it not that way with the race that God has set before us sometimes? We may run, and run well, when people are watching, but what about when no one is around but you and God? Are you just walking, taking a break from the race, or even just giving up on God’s call to run with endurance?

Friends, I think we can all confess that we have been slackers in this race of life at some point. We may have gotten sidetracked from the race because of the business of life, or even from someone injuring you emotionally, hindering you from running like God has called you.  Let me tell you some good news, God is in the business of not physical therapy, but Spiritual therapy. He can restore your injury if you allow him to teach you how to forgive.

We must run with endurance. That is not easy at times. We may be able to fool the people around us, like I accidentally did today, but we cannot fool God. He knows how we are running.

“…let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2

“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?”

Galatians 5:7

What or who is hindering you from running well? What or who is causing you to disobey the truth? We need to lay those things aside and RUN with endurance. Even when no one is watching!

Season of Trust

The Lord is gracious, and he is always doing a "new thing" in my life! I love how we go through different seasons in our lives, and in those seasons we realize a new characteristic of the Lord that maybe we didn't appreciate before. It seems like in every "spiritual season" I have a theme word; in this season, my word is trust. 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

Let me give you a peek into my season....

This is Jordan, my sweet fiancé. Oh my, I could write a whole blog on this blessing (I will one day!)  Jordan is on the mission field right now, in Uganda. He will be serving there for four more months. Many people have come up to me and asked me how I was "making it," or if I was "doing okay." It is only by the grace of God that I have been able to say, "I am doing great!" I have peace that passes all understanding. Here's where the word trust comes in...                                 The only reason I can joyfully tell people that I have peace is because I am trusting in the Lord's sovereign plan. God is in the process of redeeming people and he is using my sweet man to share that redeeming love to the people in Uganda, and he is using me here to share it with locals, and international students. I can have confidence trusting in my Lord to work "all things together for the good of those who love him." (paraphrase Romans 8:28)

This is Discovery Bible Study group. Discovery is an international girls bible study, where we are sharing the gospel with those who are lost and discipling those who are already followers of Jesus. It has already been an incredible journey with these ladies, and it's just getting started! I am trusting the Lord to save the girls that I am sharing the gospel with, week in and week out. The Lord taught me that I must be in anguish over these girls and their eternal destination! I must be broken for these lost souls, and trusting that the Lord hears my cry for them to be saved. 

I will share one more glimpse into this season I am in.

This has definitely been the toughest semester I have had in college! There is one particular class that I have been struggling with, but God is ABLE to get me through this class. I am having to once again, lay down my pride, and trust that the Lord will honor my work if I am putting forth effort in the class.





I am telling you friend, God wants every part of us. Every little, big, weird, sad, ugly, beautiful situation and season! He doesn't want you to just trust him in the big things, but in every situation, even something like an Economics test! (Speaking to myself there. Ha!) Listen, when you trust in the Lord he will bring peace into your life. When you trust in the Lord, you do not have to worry. When you trust in the Lord your faith will increase!

Give him everything today. Trust Him!