Sometimes we see something in others which inspires us and motivates us to be better in a particular area of our lives. They don\u2019t necessarily know us and we don\u2019t know them. They speak into our lives without any real depth of knowing. At other times we can be inspired by people who do know us and whom we know fairly well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I think about the people who have been an inspiration to me, I\u2019m aware that I\u2019ve sometimes made a judgement about them or felt envious of their achievements or jealous of their level of wisdom. Sometimes it\u2019s really difficult to be content with who you are and not make that comparison with others. There\u2019s a fine line between being inspired by somebody and feeling jealous of all that they seem to be, and of course it\u2019s so easy to get discouraged and disillusioned when you compare yourself to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Paul\u2019s first letter to the Corinthians he encourages the believers not to strive to be like someone else. Instead, he says, he encourages them to be content with who they are. Only God fully knows our hearts and we can give everything that\u2019s going on in our lives to Him. Here\u2019s what he says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Cor 4 v 7 \u2013 8<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? And even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? Isn\u2019t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what\u2019s the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need. You already have more access to God than you can handle.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul continues to challenge believers about their inner attitudes, condemning their competition with one another. He directly asks the believers \u2018What\u2019s the point of all this comparing and competing?\u2019 He knows that it\u2019s a road that leads to nowhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s totally different when someone who you know well, and who really knows you, speaks some wisdom into your life. There\u2019s no need to get jealous of their wisdom and insight. There can be inspiration or challenge without triggering all that hidden comparison. You know that they are genuine and that they have your best interest at heart. It\u2019s great when there is that depth of understanding between people. It\u2019s a non-threatening environment where we don\u2019t have to pretend to be somebody that we\u2019re not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most encouraging things I\u2019ve been involved in over the last ten years is a couple of small groups for blokes. Over time we have developed friendship, trust and security and are now more open with each other sharing how life really is, rather than putting a gloss on things that we struggle with. I\u2019d encourage you to choose a couple of \u2018Wing Men\u2019 \u2013 trusted friends – who will support and encourage you and not make rash judgement about you. Then meet regularly to get beyond the banter to a place of honesty and authenticity. Maybe, in time, you could build a larger group from that base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So let\u2019s not compare ourselves in an unhealthy way with others. Aim to get a balance between being inspired to make progress in our faith, yet remaining content with who we are and all that we have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Image credit: Mathias Jensen via Unsplash<\/p>\n