IF ONLY I WAS……
The other day I was listening to a training call and the gentleman talking basically said that we all compare ourselves to others. He went on to say that not only do we compare ourselves to others but we compare our worst self to their best self. Huh? This person was talking about business and how we make excuses for not doing something. “I can’t do that because I am don’t have that many friends.” “I can’t do that because I am not a good public speaker.” “I can’t do that because I don’t have the money to spend on advertising.” Basically, he said we were just all making excuses.
I can sit here and list you 10 reasons I can’t do something but it is so much harder for me to list 10 reasons why I can do something. I can list 10 things I would like to change about myself but it is so much harder for me to list you 10 things I like about myself. What does that say about me? Do I lack confidence?
The Lord gave each of us strengths and weaknesses. I believe that HE did this for a reason. If we didn’t have a weakness would we ever lean on the Lord, would we ever have to trust in HIS powers? If we didn’t have weaknesses how would we ever grow? I am shy but that doesn’t mean I can’t put myself in new situations to grow. The woman’s club has given me a wonderful platform to overcome my shyness. I became the President of our local club and had to lead the meeting in front of 20-30 people. Even though that is a few people, I was petrified. I would shake so hard you could see the papers in my hand move. Next came the District level where I became President and had to conduct the meeting in front of 50-70 people. Once again I was petrified but I still did it, and even though I shook the ladies in the audience didn’t seem to notice. Then, I went on to be the State Fundraising Chairmen where I had to get up in front of 200-300 people and talk and I even had to conduct workshops about Fundraising. All these actions petrified me. I always said a prayer before each meeting, before each speech, before each workshop. I leaned on the Lord for help and He got me through the process. HE has helped me to grow.
I believe the Lord uses our weaknesses as a training tool. I can see him teaching me and training me daily. Why would someone who is shy start a blog? Why would someone who is shy agree to fly to San Diego and meet thousands of people she doesn’t know? I believe that the Lord has something in mind for me and he is using my weakness to become a strength.
What is your weakness? Can you feel the Lord working in your life? Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. If you have to compare yourself with someone, then compare your new self with your old self. We are the Lords work in progress.
Have A Blessed Day
Tania, I just now found this post but boy did it hit me! I have been having this conversation with myself this week alot! Thanks as awlays for your sage advice in our Lord!
Not only do I love your blog about fashion, I also love your inspirational posts that are grounded in your faith. God is truly good and reading your post reminds me to take a minute to give thanks for my blessings, not focus on my faults. Thank you!!!
I really enjoyed this post Tania. How true that we compare our weakest/worst self with someone else’s best, or what we perceive to be their ‘best.’ I believe that God made each of us unique, and gave us all gifts that He wants us to be using for His glory, not to compare ourselves with others. So many times I’ve said the “I can’t because…” statements or “It’s easy for her because….but me….” Been there too often. The Lord sees me as worthy and has given me gifts to use, and I am striving now to be mindful of that fact and not try to be someone He never intended for me to be in the first place. Thanks for the reminder!