I am reminded by my Father this morning about the story of the "Prodigal Son". I know, I know, we have all heard this taught a million times, probably this year a alone. Okay, maybe not a million, but at least a couple, a few.
The point or the moral of this story today is a bit different from the one I have heard in the past. Today, the point of this story is about comparing. Comparing ourselves, blessings, gifts and favor of God in our lives. We have all done it, many of us are still doing it.
This is something I started praying about a long while ago. I would see God's hand at work in the life of another, and I would find my self jealous. Uhgg, what bondage it is to live this way. To not be able to truly be happy for those around us, because we are wrapped up in jealousy and envy and can't possibly feel real joy for them.
Good News! We do not have to stay this way. We can be free to love and share in the blessings and gifts of others. We can be free to celebrate with them without feeling jealous or envious of what God has blesses them with, or who He has created them to be.
How? By knowing how much God loves you! It really is that simple. When I started praying about this in my own life, God set me free, and still is, by showing me His unfailing love for me. He showed me that His heart is to bless me. His very nature is giving. Love gives.
He began to show me that the only reason I was jealous of what others had or were doing, is because I did not know His heart towards me. I did not understand that He wants and has good things for me in every area of my life, I can look to Him and know that He loves me and it delights Him to give to me. It brings joy to His heart to be my supply!
If you want to read the story of the prodigal son today it can be found in Luke 15. If this "other brother" had only known the fathers love for him was his all along, how much differently do you think he would have responded to his brothers return?
This revelation of love is not something any of us are able to produce in ourselves, even if we try real hard, or attempt to become more disciplined. It is only revealed and given as a free gift by the Father. Ask Him today, and He will work in your heart, continually bringing you into the fullness of His love.
Lets Talk Grace! what are your thoughts? Do you struggle with comparing? Do you see how a revelation of the Fathers love could set you free?
MY SERVANTS ...
18 hours ago
9 comments:
Another amazing post! I have been reflecting on contentment lately and how comparison tends to rob us of true peace and contentment...but I loved your point about how if we truly understood how much God loves us that we would be free from comparison.
I have loved Max Lucado's "You Are Special" story since it first came out. It is such a beautiful picture of what you posted about.
I'm so glad that God's love is constant, patient and always welcoming. Before surrendering my heart to Him, I am so grateful now that He always waits patiently for us to come to our senses. I'm contented now knowing that He loves me and had forgiven me. Thanks for this wonderful post. God bless.
It seems that our lives are reflecting on the world as we see on TV and computers and ads ...and comparisons are a devil trait it seem that he uses this tool to keep the strong and wise from coming together. I look at comparing as a ( I rebuke you devil!!). I know there's a reason you don't want me to reach closer to that person because it will damage him (the devil). So it pulls me closer to the things Im feeling compared to.
The Lord keeps bringing this subject up to me lately. Amazing the voices He uses to speak to my heart! Thank you for being an instrument to enforce truth. Very good word. Daveda!
Blessings.
Cheri
I always love stopping by. Your words encourage and splash me in God's goodness. Comparison is a battle, that with His strength I am overcoming. Yet sometimes, the desire to compare does rear it's ugly head. Thanks for the reminder that my Abba loves me and has already set me free.
Blessings from Costa RIca,
Sarah Dawn
Sister, just want to share a blog award with you. Pls. feel free to come over when you get a chance and pick it up if you want to. God bless.
Very interesting Daveda...yes, how can we be jealous when God gives us what is best FOR US. Even if that best is pain or poverty...knowing this truth is a great antidote.
Thank you for reminding me of this!
This is super Daveda!
God loving us so perfectly will definitely set us free to love ourselves and then we can truly love others without jealousy or comparison!
So funny that you would ask..I had done a devotional on Monday and than deleted it,,and did something else. The devotional was going to be on the struggle of jealousy, of wanting what other's have, of comparing, bla bla bla..lol. This was an awesome post..filled with God's truth and freedom!!
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