Ever heard of the saying, “The grass is greener on the other side”?
4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load. (Galatians 6:4-5, New King James Version)
This chapter is a reminder, that yes, we may all yearn to have what the other person can do, but when we take the time to see the gifts that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with, we each have a special gift of our own, to bring to His Kingdom.
Often we see people we may admire far or near, and think…”Wow, they are so perfect” but what we don’t know is what it may took to get to that level, or maybe, under that facade of being perfect, there is more going on then they are sharing with their world.
Chapter 8 is a mindful reminder of Galatians 6:4-6, , that we mustn’t compare ourselves or our lives to others to measure the value God has blessed our own lives with.
We may not have a ministry that is well known, maybe we’re not good with words, but it doesn’t mean that we haven’t been blessed. Sometimes, our blessings and gifts, are by virtue of the service that we do in our homes, in our communities or our local church and as my pastor reminded us, many sermons ago, everyday of our lives, is a day we can spend ,”In Service to Him” doing something not for us or in hopes we get recognized, but in purposeful service to our Heavenly Father.
How many of us know those who spend so much time looking at what other people are doing, how they are living on the other side of the fence, that they miss the joy and blessing our Father has laid at our feet right here before us.
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2 Corinthians 10:12, New King James Version)
I’ve known people who spend so much time worrying about what others would think or think up “what if” scenerios, that in the process, they became unhappy or unfufilled. It didn’t matter that the people that they were idolizing were discovered to be deep in debt, or that the “new purchase” that they thought they knew those people bought, turn out to be bought on sale or secondhand or given as gifts by others, the trouble was that the people had stuff, that they thought, if they had it too, everyone would be happy, they would be fufilled and things would be perfect.
Doesn’t really work out that easy does it?
Isn’t that how ads work best?
It always has to be something bigger, something new, if you have this, if you do this, yes, you, your life, will finally be complete until the next big thing happens in the next five minutes.
Lysa wrote,“When I compare myself to others and focus on wanting what they have, it quite simply wears me out trying to figure out how to have more, be more and do more”
This isn’t what our Heavenly Father wants for us. He wants us to be free of this.
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:25-34, New King James Version)
It is a loving reminder when we stop looking side to side and start looking upward, that we realize that we all are unique and blessed by our Heavenly Father with our own talents and gifts.
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Uncontrolled thought life! Yes, that is so right! We often dismiss our thoughts and concentrate on actions forgetting that our actions were once thoughts. Did I just sound completely crazy? lol. Thoughts lead to actions therefore we should guard our thoughts. That’s better. I really loved this post! A great reminder and a blessing.
Ida Red(Quote) (Reply)
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Lol…I really love when you said, “We often dismiss our thoughts and concentrate on actions forgetting that our actions were once thoughts.” WOW..that is a good food for thought for the day.
It’s so true….how often (and I’ve been guilty of it) we wake up thinking, today is going to be a bad day and keep that thought process when sometimes it really is simply to go…”This is His day and I put it in His hands and He is going to see me through it”.
It’s something I encourage with really finding a way, even a 5 minute “bite” of reading the bible to help start the day on a better perspective even though there are just those days, we want to hide in the bed.
It does help us remember that we aren’t in a rat race like the world wants us to think, we don’t have to compete with others and (particularly on Black Friday), everyday is still His day.
So glad you posted and praying our Father in Heaven blesses you with a wonderful day!
Twinkle Mom(Quote) (Reply)
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Forgive me for taking up space and commenting again…but I have to say I love your guidelines for commenting. In fact, these guidelines should always rule our thoughts and tongue.
.-= Ida Red´s last blog ..Developing a Taste for Living Books =-.
Ida Red(Quote) (Reply)
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Thanks for stopping by today. So cool that you are reading the Lysa T. book too. It definitely has challenged me as well.
.-= toknowhim´s last blog ..One of my favorite things… =-.
toknowhim(Quote) (Reply)
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