Reality!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
So I think that one of the worst feelings in the world is that what you are doing is not enough. That's my feeling tonight. I truly wonder if all of this social media is helpful to our emotional health. But it's not just social media, it's the way we compare our worst selves to everyone else's best selves. So if any of you ever feel the same way, here's to reality. It was a good day. A very typical Sunday at our house. What does that look like without being edited for blogging? Well here goes:
First, forget not to be patient with yourself.
I want to tell you something that I hope you will take in the right way: God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect.
Let me add: God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not.
And yet we spend so much time and energy comparing ourselves to others—usually comparing our weaknesses to their strengths. This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts because they seem to be less than what someone else does.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.
It’s wonderful that you have strengths.
And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.
God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths,1 but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect,2 and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself.
If you want to read/listen to the whole talk, here it is:
March 20, 2012 at 10:15 PM
I think you are amazing with all you do and accomplish with 4 little kids. We all need to learn to not compare ourselves with others because it only tears us down but I have a daily struggle with it.
March 23, 2012 at 11:08 PM
Ginger- I loved this post. I have days and times I feel the same way. Its nice to know I am not alone.