Untangling

We are constantly aware of other people’s opinions. They surround us, filling the perception of ourselves.

Are people going to make fun of my hair? Did I play good enough at the game?
Do my pants look alright? I’m not as spiritual as he wants.
What does he think of me? Does she love me? Do my parents think I’m a success?
Am I a good friend? Did I say the right thing? He does not think I am as pretty as her.

We are bombarded by the worries of judgment by other people. It’s easy for our lives to be lived in the fear of being less than adequate, a failure. We setup our standards in comparison to others so quickly.

Our culture shows us who we should be on magazines. We see the model of perfection on television. The worldly standards are set in plain view. Beautiful, rich, attractive, successful… words and images that plague our minds.

Not only do worldly models of perfection stress us out, but even the church culture.
We see people worshiping so fiercely, so intensely, so passionately….and wonder….

Why can’t I be like them?

I went through a phase in my spiritual life where I thought I could never measure up to other Christians.

They knew so much about the Bible. I knew so little.
They had such perfect smiling faces. I was depressed and awkward.

I was constantly comparing myself to others.
I forgot about the only true judge of my person.

And that is God.

“We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.”

God is the only one who knows us the the maximum. He knows our thoughts and our longings. He knows where our heart dwells.

I was so worried about not having perfect worship, perfect knowledge, a perfect mindset.

But God knew that I wanted to worship him, wanted to believe him, wanted to be good with Him.

God is going to look at you. He is not going to compare you to John, to Bob, to Sarah, to Jane.

He is going to look at your person, your desire for Him.

Even if you were the last person on earth, he would still have sent His son to die for you.

That is how much he loves you and enjoys you. He made you. He wanted you to exist in the first place. He does not care what Martha thinks about your shirt or Jenny thinks about your grades. As long as you are not causing others to sin on purpose, God is for you.

We oftentimes compare ourselves to others who were born with different gifts, circumstances. But we can’t. We were all given different traits, appearances. We are supposed to be different.

If you think someone is prettier than you, celebrate it. God made that person, loves them.

If someone is more spiritual than you, remember that God encouraged them to be that way. God gave them the nutrition to grow in that way.

We are all different. But in God’s eyes we are all the same, all fallen, all imperfect, all needing of a savior.

When jealousy comes along, remember that we are all in the same boat. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all need something, we all need Jesus to make our weaknesses into strengths.

Whenever the downcast thought approaches, when the depression overtakes, with the ineptitude of your qualities overwhelms you and makes you sad, remember that God loves you. He wants to help you.

Call out to God humbly. Talk about your weaknesses. He will make you strong.

“Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Check out this Blog on God’s opinion of Success

Success in God’s Eyes