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!