Have you ever felt like you’re not as talented or gifted as those around you? Do you ever compare yourself to others?
I attended a women’s conference this past weekend to help a friend in her booth. I was handing out free samples of lubricant and asking married ladies to sign up for a dare of the month to initiate a creative sexual encounter with their husband and that was a little awkward for me.
I value the peek into the behind the scene details of the conference. The speakers’ credentials were impressive and I easily found myself on the short end of the comparison.
My volunteer partner was a skilled people magnet. Everywhere we went she connected with others. Ladies fluttered to her side like butterflies drawn to colorful flowers.
I felt out of my comfort zone. Have you ever felt out of your comfort zone?
Awkward experiences can often be the place where we deepen our encounter in God’s presence and power.
I caught myself thinking unhealthy thoughts, “You have nothing to offer!” I spent a portion of my day feeling defeated and discourage until I realized I had allowed my thoughts to sabotage my day. I slipped away into a quite area where I prayed and intentionally took my thoughts captive.
I shifted my thoughts away from who I am not and focused my attention on who I am in Christ – who He created me to be. The shift allowed me to refocus my energies to see how my current opportunity could cultivate my gifts for His purpose for me.
2 I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalm 57:2 (ESV)
This shift also allowed me the freedom to rejoice in the gifts of others and alleviated the comparison temptation.
Right now, consider at least 3 – 5 areas in which you are gifted, skilled or talented. Thank God for who He has created you to be and ask Him to help you further develop in His gifts.
Copyright©2017, Gloria Stucky
Photo by Suhyeon Choi : Unsplash.com