You are an ORIGINAL

Scripture:

Galatians 5:26 That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

Observation:

God is interested in every part of our life, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our life to God: emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. Paul says that because we're saved, we should live like it! The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don't let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life.

Everyone needs a certain amount of approval from others. But those who go out of their way to secure honors or to win popularity become conceited and show they are not following the Holy Spirit's leading. Those who look to God for approval won't need to envy others. Because we are God's sons and daughters, we have his Holy Spirit as the loving guarantee of his approval. Seek to please God, and the approval of others won't seem so important.

Application:

Are you so busy analyzing your vices that you don't have time to appreciate your virtues? Are you so caught up in scrutinising others, that you don't value what God's given you? God never intended you to compare yourself with anybody. Listen to our verse for today: "We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original."

By making comparisons: (a) you imply that God made a mistake by making you as you are; (b) you allow others to define your idea of attractiveness; (c) you give them control of your self-esteem. That's too much power to give anybody! Paul says, "Since we find ourselves fashioned… excellently… and marvellously… let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be" (Romans 12:6 TM). Focus on the talents and abilities God's given you, and stop coveting what you don't have. Base your self-esteem on the fact that God made you exactly, precisely, intricately, wondrously and uniquely who you are. You're without comparison, a genuine 'one off!'

What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift back to Him. Until you stop comparing yourself to others you'll never be able to give birth to the unique gifts He's placed within you. So, thank God today for making you who you are, and begin believing that He's transforming you day by day into who He wants you to become.

When you understand that God loves you unconditionally, two things will happen: First, you'll learn to accept yourself as you are, and second, you'll learn to accept others as they are too. Stop and ask yourself today, "How do I really feel about myself?" Before you answer, read the following ten things from Author Bob Gass… slowly and carefully: better yet, put them somewhere where you can read them daily.

(1) Never think or speak negatively about yourself, for that puts you in disagreement with God.
(2) Meditate on your strengths; learn to encourage yourself, for most of the time nobody else will.
(3) Never compare yourself with anyone else. You are unique, one-of-a-kind, an original. Don't settle for being a copy.
(4) Focus on your potential, not your limitations. Remember the "greater One" lives in you! (1 John 4:4)
(5) Find something you like to do, and are 'gifted' to do well, and do it over and over.
(6) Have the courage to be different; be a God-pleaser, not a people-pleaser.
(7) Learn to handle criticism; let it develop you instead of discouraging you.
(8) Determine your own worth - before others do it for you.
(9) Keep your flaws in perspective; you're still a work in progress. (10) Focus daily on the one and only source of your confidence - God! Work on your relationship with Him.

Prayer:

"Lord, I thank you today for who I am. I have envied and coveted other personalities in the past, and you have shown me today that was wrong, in fact it was sin. I ask you to forgive me today. I accept who you are making me to be, and i will be the best ME that I can be. I am an original, and you have given me talents and abilities that I need to accomplish the potential that you have put within my life. You have an eternal purpose and destiny for my life and I will strive today to follow that plan. In Jesus' name, amen!"