Apples To Oranges
The Trap of Discontentment
December 7, 2014 • Jumaine Jones
The key to having joy in your present is being content. One of the enemy’s most effective strategies is to get you to focus on what you don’t have, what you used to have, or what someone else has that you wish you had. He does this to keep you from looking around and asking, "God what can You do through what I have?"
The Trap of People-Pleasing
November 23, 2014 • Jumaine Jones
Even when we don’t compare ourselves to others, people have a tendency of doing that job for us. Our supervisors compare us to other people in our field. Movie critics compare one actor to another actor; one directors film to another’s. Our parents compare us to our siblings. Our spouses compare us to another’s spouse. The result? We try to please others by seeking to uphold their standard. The problem is we will always fall short of their standard. What matters most is what does God say about us.
Trap of Pride
November 16, 2014 • Jumaine Jones
When we make comparisons, our hearts can become swollen with pride. In the same way we feel a sense of low esteem when we compare ourselves to those who appear more successful than us, we become prideful when we compare ourselves to those who appear less successful than us.
The Trap of Jealousy
November 9, 2014 • Jumaine Jones
When we compare ourselves to others, we can become jealous of them. Very often, we become jealous of people that are close to us resulting in a tension in our relationships. Once we realize that God still loves and favors us, there is no need to be jealous of others.
Trap of Despair
November 2, 2014 • Jumaine Jones
Comparisons can damage our self-esteem and sense of self-worth. We compare ourselves to others who are appear to be more successful than us and can’t help but feel discouraged and ashamed. No matter how much success we experience, we will always find someone else who is more successful than us. Low-self esteem can kill our dreams, vision, momentum, and motivation. We have to be content with where God has placed us.
Danger of Comparisons
October 26, 2014 • Jumaine Jones
We tend to make many comparisons. We compare ourselves to others. We even compare our present selves to our past selves. Even when we don’t make comparisons, others compare us to other people or a particular standard. Comparisons are all around us and it easy to become trapped. The reality is making these types of comparisons are like comparing apples to oranges; they are fruitless.