When You Feel Tempted to Compare Your Christian Walk with Others
By Megan Conner
Bible Reading:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5:16-19 (ESV)
Does walking out of this Christian faith ever feel overwhelming, possibly even daunting? In today’s communication-overload culture it is easy to feel like you need to read it all, listen or watch it all, do it all, and be it all. Countless books, podcasts, Bible studies, and recorded speakers and preachers offer you guidance on how to pray, how to study the Bible, and how best to connect with God and others. These are all worthy and beautiful efforts to encourage us in the faith and to fulfill the great commission of spreading the gospel to our world. Yet, at times, the abundance of ALL the choices attempting to direct us in the best way to live out our faith can actually prompt comparison and confusion.
Perhaps you find yourself measuring what others are doing, reading, or studying, and then you doubt your own choices and contributions. Questions inevitably arise, and you may start asking yourself if you need to reevaluate and revamp. Maybe I should switch up my Bible study reading plan? That new devotional comes out next month, and everyone else is reading it, so maybe I should change out the one I previously felt led to read? Everyone is listening to this trending podcast series. I’m already struggling to keep up with the five others I subscribe to, but perhaps I should add just this one more? I noticed others started serving with a local ministry. Should I volunteer as well even though my plate already feels overly full?
Sound familiar? If so, it does for me as well. I am personally connected to all these same resources not only as a consumer, but also a creator, and even I can feel exhausted by the sheer effort of it all. Combing through one resource after another trying to figure out “the perfect option;” that one singular tool or form of service that is guaranteed to deepen my relationship with the Lord, can be baffling to say the least. One of the reasons all this effort stirs up so much unrest in our souls is because in many ways, we are overcomplicating what God intended. Sometimes less really can be more. There is a simplicity in our faith if we quiet our hearts and minds enough to recall the clear exhortations and instructions outlined for us in the Word of God.
The primary focus of our faith is shared by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 22. It is here that we are reminded of the greatest commandment: to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Sounds simple enough, right? But it is the HOW that can actually cause us to get bound up with the need to do it all and be it all. How do we actively and practically love God daily?
When the apostle Paul concludes his first letter to the Thessalonians, he leaves them with a summarized exhortation of how they are to live out their faith. He offers a short instruction on how to interact with others in the body of Christ and then wraps up the entire missive with a concise directive:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes. 5:16-19 (ESV)
We can connect with our Heavenly Father through three simple steps: rejoice, pray, and give thanks. It really is that straightforward. Regardless of where you find yourself today, there is a simple call to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Whether you are facing hardship or are filled with peace, you have a reason to give thanks and rejoice. For our God is good, and his steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1). As we follow this daily practice of praying, rejoicing, and offering thanks, we can grow in our faith and deepen our bond with our Creator. It really can be that simple.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed by comparison and confusion? Has the Christian faith felt overly complicated to you? If so, how does understanding this simple call change your perspective? Do you feel pressure to live up to expectations put on you by others or that you have put on yourself? How can you quiet those external and internal voices and focus on the daily practice of praying, rejoicing, and offering thanks?
Take some time today and pray. Ask the Lord if there are any commitments in your life that have gone beyond what he is asking of you in this season. If so, ask the Lord to show you how you can practically simplify your walk with him.
Further Reading:
Psalm 136
1 Thes. 5:12-28
Matt. 22:34-40
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Dingzeyu Li
To read more from Megan, check out her Blog, Just One More Chapter. If you would like to connect further with Megan, you can discover more on her Website, on Facebook, or Instagram.
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Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
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