Believe Boldly

Peace In Me

WEEK THREE

DAY THIRTEEN

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.“

Hebrews 4:1

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best version of yourself– growth is a good goal! A problem arises when we want those things more than God. (Ouch! Am I the only one?) Instead of making our own goals the pinnacle, why not look to Jesus? Jesus lived as fully God and fully man and was tempted just as we are. In Matthew, chapter 4, we see Jesus overcome three types of temptation we are all familiar with in our own life:

1.) Lust of the flesh.

2.) The lust of the eyes.

3.) The pride of life.

It is possible to be victorious against sin! Even though Jesus never succumbed to sin, he didn’t compare himself against others. He measured himself by the purpose God the Father gave him. We need to do the same.

When we shift our focus back to God and His purpose for our lives, we realign ourselves with His will. It’s much easier to run your race when you are focused on your own lane and what you must do to get to the finish line. Are you working to become more like Christ? Are you continuing to grow in your faith disciplines? With your focus in the right place, comparison feels pointless and you are finally released to “measure up” the right way.

LET’S PRAY

1.) Read Matthew 4:1-11. Ask God what you can learn from Jesus’ example. Which of the three temptations do you struggle with the most?

2.) Repent. Let the Holy Spirit reveal any thing you have desired more than God. This could be relationships, jobs, material things, etc.

3.) It’s time for a win! Ask God to show you where you are succeeding in His purpose for you.

Comparison and Competition

WEEK THREE

DAY TWELVE

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.“

Philippians 2:3

Comparison is a slippery slope that typically leads to competition. If we can’t be the best at something, we aren’t satisfied. We’ve all seen the Pinterest fails that result from people trying to “measure up.” What about the images of crisp linens in blemish-free white-walled homes (that apparently don’t have children like mine)? Society and social media have sweet talked us in to the relentless pursuit of perfection. We find ourselves competing against a false reality. Thank goodness God doesn’t love us based on our IG posts!

Comparison isn’t all bad. When you understand a healthy version of comparison, it can lead you to try harder and accomplish more. Consider comparing your spiritual walk when you first accepted Jesus to how your faith looks currently. Comparing those two time periods in your life can catapult you to grow even more in your faith!

Anyone with a competitive streak knows the value of comparison when submitted to the Holy Spirit. In a healthy competition, we move beyond petty comparison and push ourselves to accomplish all God created us to accomplish. When we work as a team we even encourage others to do the same. With healthy competition we can all experience victory!

LET’S PRAY

1.) Reflect. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a time when comparison led you into unhealthy competition. Does that competition still play out in your life today?

2.) Pray again for clarity. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a time when comparison led you to healthy competition or to do better. How was that different than the unhealthy version?

3.) Journal. How does knowing God loves you just as you are affect the way you compare yourself to others? Do you believe God honors competition? Why or why not?

Peace in Me

WEEK THREE

Once we find peace with God and His plan for us, we have a solid foundation to find peace with others. Here’s the catch– pursuing peace with others always starts in us. I know, I know– can’t we have one week where we aren’t under the microscope?!? I’d bet 99 percent of the work we need to do toward peacemaking begins with us, wouldn’t you? Since we can only control ourselves, so let’s start there.

We can only control ourselves, so let’s start there.

In each of us is the tendency to compare ourselves to other people. We constantly measure our success or failures against others which creates dissent between us and others. The last place you will look for peace is in a relationship with someone you feel is better than you. You will speak, think about, and act differently toward that person. More often than not, changing your mind toward them can destroy the comparison and bring back your joy!

DAY ELEVEN

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”

2 Corinthians 10:12

The enemy uses comparison to steal our joy. Comparing causes us to become ungrateful for what we have and believe we don’t have enough. In other words, comparison devalues what God has given you. We must work to cultivate grateful hearts, since comparison can lead to pride and conceit.

When you compare yourself to others, you are objectifying them. You forget they bear the image of Christ and only see them for the quality you wish was yours. She becomes “just a pretty face.” He is just “the fittest guy you know.” She’s is seen as only a hot mess. He’s just a single dad. No one wants to be seen as just one thing! When we want to find peace with others, we need to honor the God-given identity in others.

LET’S PRAY

1.) Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. Think about a time you were compared to someone else. How did that make you feel? Being the recipient of someone’s comparison is never pleasant.

2.) Take a moment to listen. What God is saying to you about the concept comparison? Ask Him how it breaks His heart or shapes the way you worship Him when you fall into comparison. Write down what He says.

3.) Evaluate the level of joy in your life. Pray for God to show you areas in which comparison is stealing the joy God has given you. Ask Him how He can replenish it for you.

What’s God’s plan for me?

WEEK ONE

DAY TEN

“But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.” 

Acts 20:24

Remember this verse from day six? It illustrates a surrendered life. Paul describes his life’s purpose as one of “no value” to himself. It is all for the glory of God, following His plan, and testifying about what God has done. What can you testify to after this week of surrender? What did God do when you began to “let go” of what you want for what He wants?

Our ultimate goal isn’t fame or success. It isn’t a bigger house or a cleaner kitchen. It isn’t even perfect kids or the generations of our family remembering us some day when we are gone. Our goal is to live every day in surrender to God so all we do points back to Him. Are you headed in the the right direction? Do you understand God’s plan for at least a portion of your life, even if it is just for the rest of this week? Let’s take time to reflect over the past few days.

LET’S PRAY

1.) Go back in your journal. Reflect over the goals/dreams you had, the ones God had, and what He asked you to adjust. Do you feel settled in these? Are you still waiting for clarity? Sometimes when God doesn’t answer right away it is because He wants to continue His conversation with you at another time. Today is the day! Feel free to create brand new list of goals that reflect all you learned this week.

2.) How was your fasting yesterday? Is this a pattern God has asked you to continue? Are there things He is still asking you to give up that you may have missed? Ask Him again today, and don’t fear a harsh answer. Anytime we give up something for God from a humble heart, He is honored!

3.) Launch into the weekend with praise. Let’s end our time together this week by naming out loud the good things God has given us, revealed to us, and pointed us toward. If you have a hard time thinking of something, begin with the gift of salvation and unconditional love.