Stop It, Right Now

My friend soaking in the views at White Sands National Monument in January 2017.
Photo Credit: JennyPennyAho

The saying "just do YOU" has come out of my mouth several times when trying to encourage other people.  But practicing what you preach is hard! As much as I know I shouldn't compare myself to others and just be me --I do it on a regular basis. 

As a teenager and young adult, I compared myself to of others who got better grades than me and performed better in sports. I was jealous of others having nicer clothes or a fancier car, etc, the list goes on. In the last few years, I was jealous of woman who were mothers because I wanted a child so badly. And now in recent months, I have been envious of other mothers who had a beautiful natural delivery, jealous of those who are successfully breastfeeding their child or envious of the first official car ride home from the hospital with their hubby and adorable son or daughter. 

Seriously, when does it end? Why do we do compare ourselves to others? Why are we jealous and envious of what other people have? Do we do it just to torment ourselves?  Is it evil playing with our mind to make us feel bad about ourselves?  

In the past couple weeks, I came to the conclusion I am tired of feeling jealous, envious and comparing myself to others. I'm just OVER it. I reminded myself when I have these feelings or thoughts, I am telling the Lord what He created (me) is NOT good enough.  And it makes me sad that I am disappointing my God, so it prompted me to research scripture to remind myself I AM everything the Lord wants me to be. 

      But let each one test his own work, and then his reason   

      to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.  Galatians 6:4

     Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 

Galatians 5:26

      A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, 

but envy makes the bones rot.      

     Proverbs 14:30

     But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish 

ambition in your hearts, do not boast and 

be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom 

that comes down from above, but

 is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 

     James 3:14-15

     Keep your life free from love of money, and 

be content with what you have, for he has said, 

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

     Hebrews 13:5

This past week, I attended my women's Bible study and we decided on a study that will help us explore the everyday issues (control, insecurity, comparisons, fear and anger) that hold us back from our full potential as women of Christ. I arrived home that evening and couldn't believe the timing God had and I thanked Him for it. I am seriously in awe of His timing. He simply amazes me. 

So my plan is to stop it, right now! I am going to keep those scriptures handy and attend the Bible study and be vulnerable with other Christian women who most likely have the same struggles as me. If we can encourage and love one another instead of comparing ourselves and being jealous or envious, we can all be better daughters and sons to Him.  

I would like to say thank you Lord for putting this on my heart. I love you and can't wait to be a better daughter to You because I am good enough. 

-Jenny

*If you are interested in the Bible study and you live in the Alamogordo/Tularosa area, please email me, so I can give you details on when and where we meet. 

The name of the study is:  She's Got Issues by Nicole Unice