Saw this picture on Facebook and was immediately inspired. I believe it comes from Proverbs 31 Ministries whom I follow and Love... 

Ever just look at peoples pics and get depressed because you want what they have or you are not feeling like you are at the right level based on what they are doing. I have plenty of times. But then I realize I do not know what they went through to get to where they are at and that I am only accountable of myself therefore there cannot be any comparison especially when every one did not start at the same starting line and different resources. 

Compare yourself to the old you.. see how much better you can get!


There is this activity called The Privilege Line where it is like a group of people are in line holding hands. The idea is that you are all here at the same time but everyone had different routes to get there. The thing is yes, you may have crossed paths at one point but people can only be on one path, in their own lane. Even married people have their own lanes but I imagine that to be parallel and they venture off sometimes but come back. Because when you become one, your goals and visions should align or come together but still keeping some sense of self; your individuality. But back to the privilege line, everyone is lined up and there are statements that that make you take a step back and a step forward according to your race, upbringing, nationality and more. It is really good for those who are coming together for a like cause. 

But God has created us all different but for one cause to believe in Him and do His will. HE gave us all gifts and abilities and a future but no one has the same outcome and path. That is why we just cannot compare ourselves to others, if God wanted us to do that then He would have all made us the same and that my friends would be boring!! 

Better start getting excited about your life and all that God has done for you and blessed you with. People you see should be inspiration not goals. Come up with your own goals!! 

Peace and Blessings,
Cicely

For many years and still sometimes I compared my suuccess to others successes. I would wonder am I where I need to be at based on my age or abilities. I saw someone the same age and would think that I am so far behind.

"I didn't have kids when they did"
"I was not married"
"I did not finish my degree at their age"
"I am not far spiritually like them"
"I do not have money like they do"
OR EVEN ON THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM:
"She should have already done that"
"What, she had kids already I am glad I waited"
"I am so much further in my degree and we started at the same time"

HAVE YOU EVER DONE THAT!!! Be honest. We compare ourselves so much to others and even more true for women. We go deep as body shapes, hair, clothes and other petty stuff.

I was measuring myself based on their standards and their way of life. Thing is we did not start at the same starting line, we did not have the same resources such as family, money, location, and other things that set us apart. It took me a very long time to realize that it was not their standards that I am to measure myself at but my own standards. BUT THEN, my relationship with Christ grew deeper and stronger and realized oh hold up it isn't even my standards but GODS! Did you know that? Galatians 1:10 states," For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not
be a bondservant of Christ."   Now we are Christians and we know that the only LEGIT Judge is God but why are we constantly trying to prove ourselves to others? Why are we crossing over in other's lanes only to fall over and over because that was not the life, the path God gave us individually.
Galatians 6:4-5 "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load." This scripture brings me to the main point of this article,

"Who's Story Are You Telling?"

"What Have You Experienced that claims Victory and Triumph?"

"Are Your Stories Worth Sharing?"

Many people have lived a very safe, sheltered life where they are just existing and not living. God does not want that, He came so that we can have life and not just any life, a life more abundantly (John 10:10). We are to enjoy life that God has given us... who gives us richly all things to enjoy, doing good works, giving and sharing (1 Tim 6:17-18). We pray the Lords prayer that His Kingdom come here on earth as it is in Heaven (Matt 6:9-13).... WHAT WE CAN HAVE HEAVEN ON EARTH??? That's another article just waiting to be written but back to this one!  So why are we so safe? What story are we going to have to tell our children?
On the other end, are our stories bringing defamtion to our names or better yet our Savior's name? Are we living a life that would bring SHAME to our AWESOME GOD? Are the stories in your life ones WORTH sharing? Will it cause others to be brought down? Do our stories encourage life or death?

Ok if we are living a safe life under a rock who get's the GLORY?

If we are living a crazy life full of shame who gets the GLORY?

What about that life where you are living, approach roadblocks, bumps, trials, tribulations but you are TRUSTING AND BELIEVING THAT GOD WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT... and then HE DOES! Who gets the GLORY?--- Is this the story worth telling? Will this inspire and bless others when you tell them your story? Can you tell your children and then they can tell their children of how GOD is so faithful?
Those are the stories worth telling.

I DARE YOU TO SHARE YOUR STORY!!! Post it in the comments section. Bless someone.

Please comment and share!
Peace and Blessings
Cicely