We're not competing, we're on the same team

Surely, there is so much more to our relationships with each other as women than we often settle for.  We have built up far too many walls between us.  We have made far too many comparisons of ourselves with other women.  We are so quick to forget that God has given each of us our own unique gifts and talents to serve him with.  Because of our jealousy we begin to despise other women who are made in God's image.  This ought not to be.  

Have you noticed that the more we compare ourselves with each other, the more competitive we become?  I do not want to compete with others.  I want to be who God made me to be and be happy that you are being who God made you to be.  I want us to be on the same team, cheering each other on.  I want us to be humble enough to admit our faults to each other.  To then be able to encourage each other and effectively pray for one another.

God has given you gifts and talents that he has not given me.  You may be better equipped to play music, organize an event, notice a particular need and meet it, teach, pray, cook or create.  We may have similar talents.  Let us use them to serve Christ.  If you are better at something, it doesn't make you more and me less.  If I excel in one way, I should not be proud and your pride should not be hurt.  Pride should be far from us as women of God!

Instead, we should humbly acknowledge that we are who we are by the grace and mercy of God and encourage one another in serving Christ.  You may inspire me and I may inspire you and I may be challenged to improve and grow in Christ because of your shining example.  Iron sharpens iron.  That is as it should be.

But when we lose sight of the real goal we have as women of God, which is to know Christ and make him known, we become distracted by comparisons and differences and Satan gets a foothold.  

Let's serve him together with our hearts united in a common goal.  We all have our own set of strengths as well as shortcomings.  We cannot hide the latter nor should we be so intent on trying.  Because then how would we effectively pray for each other or sharpen and be sharpened?  

Let's get to know more of Christ and make him known.  And all along the way, let's love one another as he has loved us!  For without love we are but clanging cymbals.  A wonderful way to begin on that path to harmony and unity is to begin to pray for the women you struggle with.  Pray for the women who rub you the wrong way.  When you realize that you are comparing yourself to another woman confess it to God and pray for her.  Pray that God would help you to love her as Christ loves her.  Pray that God would use her gifts and talents for his glory and honor.  Pray whenever those thoughts come and don't give up.  Because love, unity and effective Spirit-led ministry depend upon it.

For now, hope is the answer

We run a risk when we open up and show our real selves with others, don't we?  We fear painting the picture of ourselves with too many strokes of one color.  We are hesitant to show any chinks in our armor because we fear that is all that people will see of us.  And we are certainly more than our problems and struggles, aren't we?

But the truth is, our struggles are what God is using to shape and mold us into people who are more like Christ.  And we are all facing our own share of struggles daily.  When we face adversity it is no accident.  God is actually working through the challenges and trials we face to mature us in our faith.  That truth encourages me to persevere.

See because like you, I have very difficult days.  One in particular this week was a real struggle.  There was my will and then...there was God's.  I wanted things easier, I wanted things more orderly, I wanted more control of how my day was going.  I was discouraged because it seems that there are so many things in my life right now that I am trying to improve.  I make plans and I try to fulfill them.  I set goals and I try to accomplish them.  Family meetings are held and everyone is given a chance to speak.  Things are made clear and my children know what I expect and yet...we struggle.  It seems that for every bit of progress we make there is just as much, if not more that we need to make.  It's a cycle that repeats itself over and over again in my life.  I am beginning to think that it will always continue.

I admit (especially when I look back on it) that I am thankful for this refining process that God brings me through.  But when I am going through the process it just feels like an unwanted interruption in the daily flow of my life.  It wears me out and I feel tired and stretched.

When I have a really difficult day it is as if a cloud of dust encompasses me and all I really want to do is get out of it but I can hardly see.  And I'm not sure which way to go or what to do first.  I feel discouraged and I want to curl up in a ball and wait until the dust storm passes.  And I do, for a while.  And I feel sad that I am stuck in this storm.  But I know if I don't get moving I may be there a while and there are people who are depending on me.

Many moments are spent with my eyes closed, feebly reaching out, grasping for help to get out of the cloud of dust that surrounds me.  My prayers are not long or eloquent.  All I can do is groan and mumble "Oh, Lord.  Help me."

I spent quite a while attempting to emerge from that dust cloud.  I cried and desperately wished that I wasn't in it.  But every time I tried to take a step forward, the harsh, overwhelming wind knocked me down and I had to reach out for God again.

I realized later that what I needed most was hope renewed.  I needed the courage to see that all of my efforts are not in vain.  That it's all worth it.  All of my struggles, day in and day out.  I can still have hope even in the midst of failure.  Because through my failures I am learning to depend on God more and to be strong in him.  I learn what doesn't work well and what does.  Sure, I want to be spared from learning the hard way but sometimes going through it is what helps me to learn.

I certainly don't have all the answers and solutions yet.  I probably never will as long as I live on this earth.  But I know who I trust with my life.  I can always have hope with God.  I am confident that he will give me grace to persevere and continue to make progress.  However minimal and slow that may be.  Progress is still progress.

My hope in God is what helped me to emerge from that cloud of dust to see the sunshine again.  And it really is a breath of fresh air.