purpose – Page 3 – Oh Lord Help Us

Measure: Calculating the Flawed Logic of Comparison

Devotionals, Stay SaneFebruary 1, 2018July 30, 2019

To measure our own worth against that of our fellow humans, can be extremely toxic to our hearts. Recognizing the flaws of comparison can be difficult, but vital to the survival of our faith in God.

In our recent video we touched a bit on a collective feeling of comparison riddling our minds. This has hit my heart and I feel like I need to work through this (I feel like we all need to work through this). So, let’s do it together. Let’s recognize the flaws of comparison with the truth of God, in order to overcome the trap.

Measure: Less Than

Comparison has been a personal struggle, probably my whole life. There’s always someone better, someone prettier, someone smarter. In every stage of life, there’s always someone to compare yourself to. As a young girl, as a teen, as a young adult, as a mother, a wife. The list gets longer.

Recently, I shared my daily battle is to overcome negativity. Most specifically, negative thoughts of myself. I compare how I look, the way I parent, how clean my house is, my writing style, how I speak. Deeper yet, I compare my heart, my mission, my past, my present, my future (that’s ridiculous).

All of these comparisons are relative though, aren’t they? They depend on the opinions of the one comparing. So, one could say, I have a poor opinion of myself. I lack confidence. Everyone else is better. A cheap attitude of oneself, slaps God in the face and mocks His precious creation.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14, NIV

Measure: Greater Than

Oppositely, comparison is not exclusive to a low position. It can trap us from a lofty attitude as well.

“At least my sin isn’t as bad.”

“I’m glad I learned to overcome that issue.”

I know I have ventured to this type of place in my heart. Comparing myself to another believer leads to self-justification. I rationalize my own mess because it’s not “as messy” compared. Measuring our sin against that of another believer (or non-believer), opens the door for animosity. Then on to disdain. How dare we take on the role of God in judging the hearts of our brothers and sisters.

And He has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

1 John 4:21, NLT

Not one of us is greater than any other. We are just different; with different struggles. All have been affected differently based on our unique environments. We are all growing in different ways, learning different lessons. We are all commissioned different ministries for the advancement of the kingdom of God.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17, NIV

All believers have been accepted into the family. Thus, our common denominator is God and His gift of salvation. That is all that matters. We are all unique and help strengthen each other. Hiding this truth in our hearts, exposes the lies of comparison.

Measure: Equal To

“Well, I’m just as good as…”

This thought is also an extremely dangerous comparison. Our only evaluation should be against the commands and teachings of our Father.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you…

2 Corinthians 13:5, NIV

Ultimately, we will never ascend to the greatness of God. We can never live perfect lives. Only Jesus Christ holds this status. Our intention is key. Are we recognizing how flawed it is to measure up to another human?

Measure: The Final Sum

It is human nature to constantly evaluate ourselves against others. However, God calls us to more. He calls us to be not of this world. It is impossible to truly compare ourselves to another human being, because we are all sinful. We are all flawed.

To measure ourselves against another, is to lack all faith in the will of our Father. He does unique work in each of us, and purposes us in accordance with His plan.

Need help overcoming comparison? Consider reading the entirety of 2 Corinthians, chapter 10.

If you have found this inspiring, share the encouragement…

We are all commissioned different ministries for the advancement of the kingdom of God. Click To Tweet

Dawid Małecki

We are God’s work, and we need only to glorify our Creator for the work He has done.

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Purpose: Choosing to Have a Joyful Heart During Mundane Seasons

Devotionals, Stay SaneOctober 29, 2017January 13, 2019

It can be difficult, during lulls of life, to find purpose and joy in the moment. It is sometimes hard to see God’s design through all the tasks, commitments, and errands. Living with a cheerful heart, even during the mundane seasons, is possible!

A new season is upon us. Fall is here, but, more annoyingly, it is gnat season. Those little buggers seem to be everywhere and are extremely obnoxious. I’ve picked up my fresh fruits and veggies from the market, and, wouldn’t you know, my produce came with something a bit extra. Free with purchase.

“Oh! Hello, tiny, kamikaze fly, floating in my beautiful cup of coffee.”

Purpose: Mundane Seasons

The audacity. I get it, with everything there is a season, but golly! Turns out, there are a few important reasons for these gnats to exist, but why do they have to live in my house? It would be fine if I had a bird flying around to eat them. It would be awesome if I actually had flowering plants to pollinate. But, alas, I do not. Those little gnats trapped themselves in my home and now they lack purpose.

There have been many seasons in my life when I have felt like that gnat. I felt trapped, without function or significance. I stepped into daily rhythms and monotony with blankness. Unseen chores and sacrifices left me feeling gloomy and worthless. Most recently, I caught myself staring out the window watching the wind toss around leaves.

I actually thought to myself, “The wind has more importance than I do.”

Hold the phone! I allowed Satan to steal my mission, my ambition, my happiness. He whispered in my ear and told me I just wasn’t important enough. “Your tasks are insignificant.” “You have no purpose.” “God can’t use you.”

A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.

Proverbs 17:22, MSG

I fed into these lies, and sent myself spiraling down the rabbit hole. I was tired, lacked interest, and depressed. A bit redundant, but I struggled to find joy in most situations and occasions. I really started to annoy myself. It stinks that it had to go that far, but I finally knelt and prayed to my Father. He responded quickly … and it hit me! A lesson I had learned when I was little…

Purpose: A Joyful Heart

Growing up, I always enjoyed spending time at Aunt C’s house. She taught me a lot of practical things. For instance: how to fold towels properly, how to plant flowers, how to pull weeds, how to pick veggies from the garden (my favorite), how to wash dishes by hand. She taught me how to hang clothes on the line and make a bed. She taught me how to can and preserve food – so awesome! Aunt C’s home was spotless (I bet she never had a gnat), her meals were homemade and delicious, her yard was beautiful.

The most important lesson Aunt C taught me was not one she spoke to me, but one I learned from watching her. Do all things with a joyful heart. She did her work without complaint or frown. I’m sure she had moments, but I never saw one. Her example was so valuable to me that I remember it still. I have this little mantra on repeat in my head when I feel Satan start to creep in, “With a joyful heart, with a joyful heart…”

Work hard and cheerfully at all you do, just as though you were working for the Lord and not merely for your masters, remembering that it is the Lord Christ who is going to pay you, giving you your full portion of all he owns. He is the one you are really working for.

Colossians 3:23-24, TLB

I never knew why Aunt C’s lesson was so significant to me until I became a wife and mommy. Day to day tasks, like I said before, can get repetitious. Especially when you feel those duties are invisible. One thing that pulls me out of this mindset is that phrase. Remembering that God sees my work and sees my heart as I work, changes my attitude. God purposed me for these moments and I will carry them out with a happy attitude.

I knew you before you were formed within your mother’s womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world.

Jeremiah 1:5, TLB

Before I was even conceived, I was given purpose by my Creator. For this season, I am to establish an atmosphere where Christ can dwell. A home where I can encourage His purposes for children’s and husband’s lives. A home where gnats dwell… if only to inspire me to write this post.

Before I was even conceived, I was given purpose by my Creator. Click To Tweet

Your turn…

Has God called you to a specific season, recently?

How have you surrendered your heart to happiness?

If you have found this inspiring, share the encouragement…

Sapan Patel

Vision: Understanding Where Our Dreams Come From

Devotionals, Stay SaneOctober 21, 2017July 30, 2019

We are created for a purpose. Each of us have a vision. When we understand where our dreams and visions come from, we have the boldness to act on them.

Of the many attributes I could use to describe myself, “dreamer” would be among the top. And I don’t stop with dreaming for myself. If you are around me long enough, I will start putting ideas in your head of things you could do with your life. I have ~~peer-pressured~~ encouraged more than one person to run a marathon.

Some ideas come and go in an afternoon. A few, however, I just can’t seem to shake.

Vision: Understanding where Our dreams come from.

Those visions, those dreams, those ideas, those desires…they do not originate with us. They are a part of our DNA. I have long believed that when God gives us the desire of our hearts (Psalm 37:4), it is Him placing in us the desire, not simply giving us what we want. If we are seeking God, then the desires in us are there because of Him.

If we are seeking God, then the desires in us are there because of Him. Click To Tweet

A book I listened to a while back took this thought a step further. The author challenged that the dream actually came before the creation of the dreamer. It wasn’t that God created me, then said, “hmmm… What would be a good job for Rachael? Let’s see… She’s high energy, a tad aggressive (but I can work with that), and loves meeting new people. Oh, I know… I’ll give her the dream of working with women.”

Instead, God says, “Let’s see, there is a group of women who will need to some encouragement. They are questioning their self-worth and not sure where their identity lies. I’m gonna need to someone who has a lot of energy, maybe even a bit aggressive (in a positive sort of way), and isn’t afraid to meet new people. I’m going to create Rachael!”

Isn’t that an amazing thought? Our dreams were not an after thought to keep us busy. They are the reason we were created! The beautiful thing about this, is that even though your strengths may be vastly different than mine, we all have a vision to pursue. If we have a similar vision, we will impact different people in different ways. And if our vision is nothing alike, we are both still pursuing the ultimate goal of making Jesus known. There are no wrong visions!

Vision: Dreams that end or change.

There have been dreams in my life that I no longer have.

I had the dream to open a coffee shop. We did, and we were a part of something so much bigger than just serving coffee. We were a bright spot in that neighborhood. Relationships were born there that continue to this day. But God’s plan was for us to birth that place and let other, more talented people, raise it to what it has become today. Not for a moment have I regretted walking away from that dream.

There have been dreams in my life that have changed.

When I was a newly married, my husband and I served the youth group at our church. I had a dream to begin a mentoring ministry with teenage girls, and was in the process of bringing it to life. But just as soon as the ball began rolling, we moved 6 hours away, and beginning life over with no friends or family nearby. Then, when we moved to Chicagoland (meaning the suburbs), we were actually looking at buying an old Victorian home with the dream of turning it into a place for teenage girls. The dream never grew big enough for me to see what kind of “place” it was going to be, just that it would be to serve young ladies.

Now, twelve years later, I have discovered that there is a home for pregnant teen girls where we live. This is my dream in action. The dream has been dormant for so many years, only to resurface as a ministry I can serve and support.

There have been dreams in my life that have been refined.

You, dear reader, are experiencing a refined dream at this moment. What began as a fun little hobby, and kind of a joke (“oh Lord help us stay sane” is what you will see if you look up at the URL), has lead into a shop of items, speaking, bible studies, and a group of women writing. More than once I have been tempted to pull the plug on this. More than once the Lord has confirmed to me that I am doing what He created me for, for this season of my life.

Vision: Boldness to move forward.

Since our dreams and visions come from the Lord, then so do the battles and the victories. Our dreams are not OUR dreams. We have GOD’S dreams. We can move forward because that is being obedient. He is faithful and will honor our obedience. Even if it is an earthly “fail,” it is a heavenly “win,” and God will redeem it for His glory.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31, ESV

Final thought…

I can no better shake my vision out of my being, as I can make myself a D-cup. Sure, I can fake it, just like I can get fake boobs, but it’s not real! I can ignore the dream, or distract myself from it, but deep down I, like you, have dreams that I am made for.

So what dreams do you have that you just can’t seem to shake?

There is no fear in love. And you are fiercely loved! Be bold in pursuing your dreams.

If you have found this inspiring, share the encouragement…

Jordan Ladikos