We need to plan.
We need to know ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses.
We need to know our enemy.
And sometimes that enemy is ourselves or our loved ones disguised as good will. And I know it’s hard. It hurts. But we need to protect our families.
I’m sure Satan loves nothing more than to steal our joy.
It’s hard not to compare. We’re terrible about looking at the haves and have nots. We even disguise as praying for people.
Don’t compare your homeschool or children to anyone else.
So what if their child is reading and yours isn’t? It’ll happen, eventually.
So what if their child is accepted into {insert whatever prestigious extracurricular or academic activity here}? Do you really want to drive/pay/deal with/stress over whatever that may cause your family?
So what if their child’s handwriting is illegible and they can’t spell or write a complete sentence? That child may be gifted in art or music or math or anything else.
Know your enemy.
Understand your insecurities for what they are. Stop placing blame on others for your feelings and issues. Love is a verb. 1 Corinthians 13 and all that jazz. You are responsible for your reactions. Don’t resort to being ugly back. Golden rule, remember? I know. It’s hard. I bite my tongue or inside my cheek all too often.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
If you have friends or family members who are naysayers or who criticize your every move, then you need to deal with that as delicately and politely as you can. It may mean fewer interactions to maintain your family health.
Surround yourself with health and happiness. Remove the ugly from your life like the cancerous tumor that it is.
If you have friends or acquaintances who steal your joy, pray for them, but avoid their company and seek healthier relationships.
Life is too short.
Quit comparing.
Live free. Laugh loud. Love bold.
The whole series:
Jennifer—thank you for sharing these wise words. Sometimes (okay, oftentimes) the enemy can sneak in, in some of those less-obvious ways that you mentioned. “Be on your guard!” as the Bible says!
Thank you, friend, for the affirmation. I was preaching to myself, as usual!
It is good to remember that we need to be on guard against Satan’s effort to frustrate our efforts. This is a good reminder. :-)
yes, I’ve been noticing it lots lately, so that’s what was on my heart to write.
I love this post, it is SO true!!!
Thank you so much!