C&I Overload

Comparison and ineffective behaviors are like that fly at the cookout over your food that won’t go away! The society we live are always pushing off new trends and ideals that they want to shape us. Our generation refuses to let anyone put us in a box or clone us, however, we are influenced by so many things that comparison drives us in more ways than we know. Lately, I have been on a tangent about following Christ an allow him to shape us; but there seems to be some blockage hindering us from doing that.

Let’s dig deeper!

Ineffective means: not capable of performing efficiently or as expected. Ponder that for a minute! What does comparison mean? Comparison is the examination of two or more person, places, or things to establish similarities and dissimilarities, according to Merriam- Webster. These two things have kept me from following God whole-heartedly in more than one instant in my life. God would set me then I would venture off from the path set before me. Comparison and Ineffective behaviors will have you going in circles never progressing and evolving. Let me give you a personal example, I used to get so frustrated when I didn’t have any money, it used to mess me up y’all. However, I really shouldn’t have; I wasn’t paying my tithes and offerings CONSISTENTLY, I never stopped over spending, and I didn’t implement a budget. So, what happened? I always lacked in the money department and God did not provide me with opportunities to increase me financially because I was not a good steward over my money. VERY UNDISCIPLINED and that’s an ineffective behavior!

Recently, I made a Facebook post that was inspired by one of Bishop T.D. Jakes sermon that stated, why are we so loyal to ineffective behaviors? It made me think, why are we so devoted to things that just don’t work? Is it because we fear change, we lack faith and fear the unknown, or is it because we don’t want to be held accountable to growth and development by God and the people he sends us? Mine was all the above! When we don’t make a choice to change and follow Christ for real; we become a magnet for these flaws! Working with teenage kids has really opened my eyes! We do a lot of stuff, we know doesn’t work, that we fail to change, then, we compare and throw pity parties! No, maybe if we surrender and follow the plan God laid out for us we could see better results. Matthew 7:13-14 says, enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

I wonder if the people that entered through that wide and broad gate that led to destruction spent time comparing themselves to others with no intent of changing behaviors that didn’t work for them? Hmmm, it’s worth asking! Why live life looking beside you, instead of above! Everyone has a unique purpose that was given by God. If we don’t reach our destiny; we can’t blame it on other people, compare their process to ours, or be mad that our ineffective behaviors hinder us from experiencing our GREAT BIG LIVES.

If being undisciplined doesn’t work……Change

If walking in rejection, low-self-esteem, or fear has been robbing your life……Change

If unforgiveness and offense is hindering you from walking in Love…. Change

I can go on for days but I don’t have to because we all know within ourselves what behaviors, habits, mindsets, and actions hinder or stunt our growth. Hebrews 12:1-2 has become my bestie over the last couple of weeks; Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I realized that the closer my relationship is with the Father and every day I commit to following him; I learn that there are traits in me I must get rid of, or it will hinder me. Fortunately, we’re not alone and he knew we couldn’t do it without him. His grace is sufficient and his strength can carry us even in our greatest weaknesses; When you really love God and you don’t want to hurt him. Therefore, we should willingly surrender but he knows that it wouldn’t be that easy because of the sinful nature we were born in. That’s why he went to the cross and conquered it and now we are more than conquers too!

Don’t allow comparison and ineffective behaviors to hinder what Christ went to the cross for. Follow Christ and let him set you on the track he wants for you.