Navigating Life Together: Comparisons
Good relationships are difficult
The major marker of a fulfilled life is healthy relationships
Relationships are critical for a physical wellbeing Marc Schultz
If you have no relationships or only bad ones – same health risk as smoking
Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones
This is a generation that can’t seem to get along, but desperately needs to
Good relationships are difficult but essential
God redeems your life and places you into his family
John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Phil 4:2-3 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Good relationships are difficult but essential to God
James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
Jealousy’s first step is comparison
What about me?
1 Corinthians 3:3 For you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?
What about me? Sounds like un-supernatural people
Attention if you were the Fastest, Strongest, Skinniest, Prettiest, Richest, Smartest
Growth in CEO compensation 1,460% since 1978
Ecc. 2:10-11 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind
Living in the land of “er” is chasing the wind
There is no finish line with Comparison
When will I be ok?
Every one of us are using a reference point to answer, I am ok?
We are looking for the “well done” to stop chasing the wind
2 Cor. 10:12-13 I don’t dare to compare myself with those who praise themselves. I’m not that kind of person. They measure themselves by themselves. When they do that, they are not wise. But I won’t brag more than I should. Instead, I will brag only about what I have done in the area God has given me
Galatians 6:4-5 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
John 21:22 What is that to you? You must follow me.
How have I done with what you have asked me to do?
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
What about me? Becomes What about you!