Have you ever found yourself wishing that you lived someone else’s life; that theirs seemed so much better and, in comparison, yours was less exciting, less eventful? Have you ever thought to yourself, WOW! She/He has ‘THE LIFE’ and that you don’t? If we were to be completely honest, I believe we have ALL caught ourselves comparing. It might be that we compare cars, kids, clothes, vacations, styles or even yards. God has an *‘app’ for that! It’s found in the Bible in the section I call the ‘ians’ (pronounced ‘E-uns’) Get it? à Corinth-ians, Galat-ians, Ephes-ians, Phillipp-ians!" God’s *’app’ is Divine direction; Divine application!
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
It’s healthy to compare….that is, IF it is a healthy FORM of comparing. IF it motivates you to do “good works” and, as the Bible says: “work as God prepared you to do”, it is healthy. However, IF you allow yourself to linger in a ‘me-ist’ state and NOT allow your ‘friend(s)’ the opportunity to enjoy their success(es), your dislike WILL fester into hate! Let God 'deal with' them. Christians are NOT here to hate. Time is too short to linger on the perceived negatives of others. Your treasure is too great to miss. God has told us to bring our ‘offering’ to Him. God is NOT comparing. He and YOU know what YOU can do. If we bring the wrong offering to God; one of coveting, dislike and hate, it is displeasing to Him. Consider the offerings of Cain and Able. Consider the end result.
By allowing a wrong ‘comparative-state-of mind’ you are admitting you are uncomfortable in who you are; that you don’t recognize yourself as the treasure God made you. As Christians we shouldn’t constantly look for approval by comparing ourselves to a neighbor, co-worker or friend. We shouldn’t try to out-dress them or out-perform them. Competition is a curse when it is allowed to breed and fester. Cooperation is a blessing that needs to be fertilized. Comparison is a distraction that shrouds the gift of cooperation. Comparison is a thief that steals your joy, focus, energy and time. You are the workmanship of God! You are created with a purpose for a purpose. You are equipped to do everything He's called you to do.
Stay free from a spirit of competition and just run your own race. You will enjoy your life more. You WILL see your gifts and talents flourish! You WILL move forward into the life of victory that He has in store for YOU! You WILL see His blessing and favor in a greater way. Don’t compare! COOPERATE! Oh, and by the way, share your ‘blessings’ with others. YOUR life is probably what your friends wish THEY could live!
“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
*App. Not a computer ‘app’; A Biblical ‘app’-lication.
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