Insecurity Comparing

 

Insecurity

Comparing

He made you different to use you in different ways

We are a specialty tool in His hand

Think about times in your life where God used you

Can you think of a better feeling?

Paul concluded with these words

When people boast about themselves, it doesn't count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that's different!

There is only one mirror to look into

Not the mirror of humanity

But the mirror of God’s Word, for that mirror gives freedom James 1:23

There will always be sitting on one shoulder, whispering, Insecurity

And on the other loving counsel

Speak to yourself encouraging words like God does

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

 

Comparing

 

Ever compare yourself with someone else?

 

By comparison you felt ‘less than’…

 

Not as pretty or good looking.

 

Not as fun.

Wasn’t as fearless.

 

 Not as talented.

 

Not as many friends.

 

 Not as appealing to others.

 

Your confidence was taking a beating.

 

 And you felt truly worthless.

 

We live in a visionary world.

 

And like a mirror, we see ourselves as less than others.

 

The comparison head game has been a

problem since the beginning of man.

 

Paul, some 2000 years ago, addressed this problem.

 

He says…

  

Oh, don't worry; I wouldn't dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!

2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT

 

“measuring themselves by themselves”

 

Paul says in the NLT…“What foolishness!”

 

 In the Today’s English version…“How Stupid”

 

 In the NIV…“Not wise”

 

The comparison head game is not only played

 in young people, but in the minds of all ages.

 

It seems as if the pleasure of

playing this ‘foolish game’ is increasing.

 

It causes harmful effects, such

as giving up…

 

 Not doing your best.

 

Taking radical actions to be noticed.

 

Bragging about your education, wealth,

flaunting your looks, doing things that

seem to get the recognition of others.

 

Outward appearance becomes

more important than what is within.

 

I have never been a person to wear the labels

 and get tattoo’s like the seemingly popular do.

 

But I have wrestled in my

 mind, feelings of ‘less than’.

 

I have enjoyed preaching and teaching, but

when I hear a good preacher or teacher,

I find myself making comparisons.

 

The result is, I think…

 

Let others do the preaching and teaching.

 

 After all, I cannot do as good of a job as them.

 

In life, there is always someone

who will do better than you.

 

But God still made you.

 

Remember Jesus teaching about the talents?

 

To one was given five talents.

 

 To another, two talents.

 

And then there was the one with one talent.

        

That one talent was very important to God.

 

What God has given you is

important and meaningful.

 

Paul gives us some helpful tips on overcoming

the game of comparing ourselves with others…

 

We will not boast

The goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us.

 

Live and act within your authority.

 

Your security is not in your authority.

 

 But in how it benefits others to do

the work God has called them to.

 

Know your Territory.

 

Don’t look at others less than you.

 

Help others.

 

 Than get out of their way of

doing what God gave them to do.

 

"The person who wishes to boast

should boast only of what the Lord has done."  

V 17

 

There is no greater accomplishment

than being used by God.

 

He made you different to

use you in different ways.

 

We are a specialty tool in His hands.

 

Think about times in your life where God used you.

 

 Can you think of a better feeling?

 

Paul concluded with these words…

 

When people boast about themselves, it doesn't count for much.

But when the Lord commends someone, that's different!

 

There is only one mirror to look into.

 

Not the mirror of humanity.

But the mirror of God’s Word, for

that mirror gives freedom.

 James 1:23

 

There will always be sitting on one

shoulder whispering, Insecurity.

 

And on the other loving counsel.

 

 Speak to yourself encouraging

words like God does…

 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,

 thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

 

 

Scripture Reading

 

2 Corinthians 10:12-18 NLT

 

12 Oh, don't worry; I wouldn't dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, and measuring themselves by themselves. What foolishness!

 

13 But we will not boast of authority we do not have. Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us, and this plan includes our working there with you. 14 We are not going too far when we claim authority over you, for we were the first to travel all the way to you with the Good News of Christ. 15 Nor do we claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow and that our work among you will be greatly enlarged. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places that are far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question about being in someone else's territory. 17 As the Scriptures say,

 

"The person who wishes to boast

should boast only of what the Lord has done."  

 

18 When people boast about themselves, it doesn't count for much. But when the Lord commends someone, that's different!