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Monday, August 6, 2012

5 Steps to be Content



As women it is easy to look around and compare ourselves with others.  We may think, “well if only I had a husband like hers, I could be the Proverbs 31 woman,” or “if only I had kids like hers I could be a better mom,” or “if only my house was bigger, cleaner, better, or fill in the blank _______.”

I want to encourage you to stop the “if onlys”.  Stop comparing yourself to others, and compare yourself to God’s Word. 

Philippians 4:11 says, “..for I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.”

Let’s look at what the Bible tells us about comparing ourselves to others.

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number,
or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:
but they measuring themselves by themselves,
and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
II Corinthians 10:12

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live;
yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20, 6:4


5 Steps to be Content...
  • You need to be content with who God has created you to be.
  • You need to be content with the husband God has given you.
  • You nee to be content with the children God has given you.
  • You need to be content with the house and things God has given you.
  • You need to be content with Who God is. He IS all you need.
 As Christians we have an identity in Christ…we are new creatures in Him.


“Don’t compare yourself to others
and don’t allow feelings of insecurity to rob you of your identity in Christ. 
He loves you and created you for a purpose.”
Author Unknown

To read more about your identity in Christ, read these passages...
  • Colossians
  • Psalm 139
  • I Peter 2:9
  • Galatians 4:6-7
  • Jeremiahs 29:11
  • Ephesians 2:10
  • John 1:12-13
Work on your vertical relationship (your relationship with God) and the horizontal relationships (your relationships with your husband, children, family and friends) will be where they need to be.

Comparing yourself to others will only cause you to become discouraged and then you will believe the lies of the devil that you are not worthy of God's love, and that, my dear friend, is Satan's biggest lie!
The Alabaster Jar
 

*This devotional was written by me for my Ladies Bible Study, and I felt the Lord wanting me to share it on my blog.


9 comments:

Patricia said...

AMEN

Michele-Lyn said...

That's a great verse in Corinthians about comparing. I hadn't seen that one before. Thanks for sharing truth on something that I know so many struggle with -- myself included.

Stopping by from Time Warp Wife :)

Be Thou Exalted said...

Thanks! Hope it was an encouragement.

Delora said...

I really enjoyed reading your blog. Contentment is sometimes hard to come when life does not turn out the way we planned.

Thanks for the great scriptures to reference. I stopped by from titus2linkup. deloranow.blogspot.com

Jacqueline@ Deeprootsathome.com said...

I LOVE this post! This is the first time I have been to your wonderful blog, and I'm enjoying my visit. I will be impulsive here and ask you to consider linking up to our "EOA' Wednesday link-up party to share this with other readers. It is just the kind of encouragement I'm desiring to share there :)
Many blessings, new friend!
Jacqueline

Unknown said...

Playing the comparison game is such an easy trap to fall into! But it leads us nowhere good! Focusing on the great things in our life definitely helps.

I host a link-up on Wednesday called WIP (Work in Progress) Wednesday. We would love for you to join us!
newlifesteward.com

Jenni said...

Cultivating contentment is so important. Thanks for sharing this!

Unknown said...

Thanks for coming over and linking up with WIP Wednesday!

Unknown said...

Amen!