"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." -Hebrews 10:24-25Comparing. Competition. Discontent. Pride. Jealousy. These are a few of the dangers of life in community. As a team we have been wrestling with these issues and God is beginning to bring light and freedom and health. We are so grateful. We have a long road ahead, as teammates come and go. But we are doing the work- and the Spirit is honored.
Whether you are a missionary on a team, a member of a church, a supporter of a missionary, a part of a family, or just person who has friends- the threats of comparison and competition are real. So what can we do about it? A few steps we are taking as a team:
- Share someone else's successes or victories- at prayer meeting let someone else tell about your most recent God-story. You will be encouraged and there is no temptation to brag. God gets all the glory.
- Encourage one another.
- Serve together. Even if you are involved in very different ministries- take time to invite someone else to join you on a project. They get to see the nitty-gritty details, failures and successes, and you get support!
- Celebrate together.
- Focus on who God is- everything else will be put in proper perspective.
This is great advice. I especially love the idea of letting someone else share about your most recent God-story - I think I might try this with my kids. I think it would help them to get excited about each other's successes and to feel more connected - more FOR each other...yeah.
ReplyDeleteThe trick is to figure out how to get them on board with that! :-)
ReplyDeleteI think my biggest challenge is to not want others to do things how I do them. I often let others win because I was taught that is the better way, yet then I don't allow it to help me grow. I love your idea of sharing someone else's successes!
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