In the teacher world, it's so easy to feel less than. I don't know if you know this or not, but teachers can be pretty spectacular. They transform classrooms into places of wonder, homes away from home, and atmospheres of sheer invitation. They create incredible lesson plans. They wow their students and sometimes even have parents sing their praises. And some even them do all of that AND manage to cook a Martha Stewart meal while creating things on Teacher Pay Teachers and maintaining a daily blog about the spectacular things in their classrooms and home life. (Which is really great because the not so fantastical teachers like myself get to use the resources they create.)
We're also guilty of walking into those classrooms of wonder, looking at hose blog posts, and seeing the pictures of those meals and feeling like we aren't doing enough. It's never enough. We must do more to make things better so everyone can be happy, pleased, impressed, etc. Oh how easy to be swooped into the compare/disease to please/ be accepted vortex. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. God's words are powerful. While this seems like an obvious message from God, it seems to be one we struggle with most. Acceptance is incredibly important to our flesh, and it usually comes from conforming to the things around us. Acceptance If we got down to the root of it, I would say acceptance is one of the things human beings value most. We love to feel like we're a part of something. We love to be included. We love to share things with others. I think about the Facebook world we live in now filled with selfies, like buttons, and followers. People are longing to be accepted. Words of affirmation is one of my love languages. I don't want to be told something I'm doing is great, I just want to know it's correct. Otherwise, I default to thinking I'm completing that task incorrectly. (Actually saying that makes me think I'm a bit of a negative Nancy... Oops. Perhaps that will inspire a later blog post.) The only acceptance that matters eternally is God's, and He accepts us as we are mundane classroom, not so together life, and all. Now I'm not saying live a sloppy, unproductive life, but seeking the acceptance of others or playing the comparison game often bogs us down. We typically end up in an unnecessary deal of disappointment. God doesn't desire that for His children. Encouragement I'm a firm believer in encouragement. It just goes a really long way. I've seen it inspire some pretty spectacular third graders, and I'm constantly in awe of watching their faces light up over hearing they really are great in their very wonderful own unique ways. I'm learning, however, as an adult that not everyone encourages. I'm also learning that just because they don't encourage doesn't necessarily mean something negative. Often times we look for an "atta boy" to lift our spirits, but our lifting cannot come from that. When we seek to find fulfillment in man, we often find ourselves empty. God does call us to edify one another. So often Ephesians 4:29 comes to mind. While we don't have to run around patting people on the back, it is important that we minister in our conversation. Be uplifting! Disease to Please As I'm learning that, I still struggle. I'm the crazy lady that lies awake at night replaying conversations wishing I had spoken differently or contemplating what someone really meant in our conversation. Yes. Crazy. (Surely I'm not the only one?) And all the while God is dealing with me reminding me that some things are out of my control, and so I can pray but then I need to let it go. You see, I have that terrible disease to please. I thoroughly enjoy making others happy. And while that's a wonderful thing to strive for, I also have to accept that's not likely to happen. Even Jesus didn't make everyone happy. And honestly, if I was making everyone happy, I probably wouldn't be being (is that grammatically correct?) myself. 1 John 2:16- For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 Peter 2:9- But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: During Jesus's earthly ministry, He was often rejected and betrayed. As Christians, we should expect the same. John 1:10-11- He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. I remember the very awkward years of junior high. I did not, I repeat, I did not fit in. I was as awkward as they came, and I wanted so badly to be like others, and as hard as I tried, I couldn't. All of that effort got me no where and left me in a miserable state. I didn't know Jesus at the time, but I am thankful for how He used those life events to mold me. Let's fast forward to high school. High school was a little better. I remember the cliques not being as bad. I found some friends, and I found a place to "rest". And still I found myself trying to please everyone around me. I was an exhausted 17 year old who was still searching for happiness. And now we're in adulthood. I still really enjoy making others happy. Some days this involves glorifying God and seeking how He can use me to encourage and uplift others. Some days though, I fall on my face and fail miserably. That desire takes a worldly turn, and I find myself focusing on conversations and actions that are totally out of my control worrying if I said and/or did the right thing. If you know me, you know I love my sleep, and y'all sometimes I even lose sleep over it. I ponder it way too much, and I let my emotions overcome me. My whole life I've heard lots of things like I can't make everyone happy. I've been told I need to stop worrying about others and focus on me. I've been taught to worry about others perspectives and thoughts and to work towards earning their acceptance. And I ended up confused and miserable. And then God stepped in. While it is often a battle, He is showing me that compassion and encouragement are wonderful tools in furthering His kingdom. He's also showing me how worry can hinder all of this. The beautiful blessing of the ability to place our burdens upon Him cannot be forgotten. It's ok to say no. It's important to make sure whatever tasks we take on are beneficial to His kingdom and not an extra something that could ultimately be a distraction. It's ok to misspeak. I don't know of many people who are eloquent or have the absolute best thing to say 100% of the time. Our words should just glorify Him. It's ok to mess up. We all make mistakes. Sometimes your handwriting is crooked and the laundry doesn't get finished on the scheduled day, and that's ok. Sometimes you say something at just the wrong time, and that's ok. It's really ok if your home doesn't look like it's straight out of Southern Living, you aren't climbing the corporate ladder, and you only have a handful of friends. It's ok if you're not in the popular crowd. Its ok! Those things are so temporal, and praise God, He's not temporary. He's eternal. Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 1 John 3:13 - Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. Hebrews 13:5 - [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for a wonderful Savior! Thank You Lord for welcoming us into Your family as we are and for loving us through it all. God, You very well know my struggle with finding that balance of honoring You in wanting to bring joy to others and losing sight of You and letting that disease to please and all of the terrible side effects like worry over take me. God I pray You'll continue to help me lay it down and set my eyes on You. I pray You'll help in those moments of anxiety and replaying conversations. I pray You'll help me to not play the comparison game and simply seek what You desire for me. If there is anyone else who is struggling that's reading this, I pray they also find great comfort and rest in You! In Jesus Name, Amen.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
Saved by God's amazing grace and living this divinely put together puzzle of a beautiful life He so graciously blessed. Archives
March 2020
Categories
|