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.
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