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Monday, March 10, 2014

Motivational Monday

Mondays can be rough....especially Mondays after a spring forward time change. I really hope TN goes to not doing the time change next year. As much as I looooove more hours of sunshine in the evenings, I do not love dark mornings. You would think I lost a whole night of sleep instead of just an hour! But today is about motivation, not complaining!
 
Yesterday at church we talked about the common things we all struggle with: unfair criticism, unrealistic compliments and unwise comparisons. I've been struggling with this comparison thing for a while now - maybe my whole adult life. I even talked about it here as one of my reasons for doing the Overcome the Lie 40 Day Challenge (which I will give you a recap on soon since we are wrapping up).  I know I needed to hear this yesterday, and maybe you need to hear it today. When we get caught up in measuring our lives compared to someone else's, we lose sight of what God says about us. I cried at church yesterday for the first time in a little while because that hit me like a ton of bricks.
 
You ARE God's masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)! Plain and simple. That's His view of you. He knows exactly how He created you, with this incredible purpose to be fulfilled. Nothing else matters.
 
For this whole week, I am going to try my hardest not to compare myself to anyone else. Not to say mean things about myself - even in a joking manner. Not to think ugly thoughts about myself. It will be hard, because I'm terrible to myself. I'm going to try my hardest just to be happy that I have a Savior who has given me exactly what I need to succeed. And that He doesn't care what has been said about me, or what I've done in the past, He only cares about using me as a disciple for Him.
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21 comments:

Samantha said...

What an awesome start to a Monday. I'm pretty guilty of doing the same. I have a hard time remembering that people usually leave out the ugly parts of life when they are posting online and we all have those parts of our life. I'm going to join you in trying to be extra positive this week!

PS - how's 10k training going!?

Anonymous said...

I hate losing that hour of sleep, but I like it being dark on my way to work way better than on my way home.

Love this motivation! :)

Amanda aka Manda said...

I absolutely love this!! I'm so hard on myself too...we've had many conversations about this. Hopefully we can both do better!!
Love you! Hope you have a great week!

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

What a powerful message. We are so hard on ourselves sometimes and it is better to shut that voice off and listen to a kinder message.

Pamela said...

That quote is a smack in the face! I can be hard on myself too, but we don't think how God made us in HIS image. Thanks SO MUCH for this!

Joey Hodges said...

First of all--I have a love hate relationship with DLS. I LOOOOOVE the longer hours of sunshine--but the whole back and forth messes with my system--I couldn't sleep last night and groaned when I crawled out of bed at 5:30 which was REALLY 4:30. The coffee pot is working overtime today.

Secondly--THIS GAVE ME CHILLS. That quote just spoke RIGHT to my soul. I've been having a hard time identifying my purpose and how I'm supposed to use my gifts (or if I can even call them gifts). Love you friend, thanks for sharing this!

Jill @ Bluegrass Belle said...

Very powerful and very TRUE. We are our own worst critics and put ourselves down in a way that would not make Him proud. I have a verse printed out and taped to my computer monitor, and I wanted to share it with you. I think it applies to work, life, etc:
"Do your own work well, and then you will have something to be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others." - Galatians 6:4
((hugs))

Helene in Between said...

what a great idea. i need to remember to not compare myself either. im going to take that challenge as well! I do like the time change tho, i need more light at night!

Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre said...

Thank you for this grounding post and a reminder to be kind and treat yourself in the highest regards. Also knowing how many people care about you and want you to succeed! xoxooxo

Rachel Sedaker said...

Amen to a God who shaped us and loves as us we are. There's only one you, Nikki, and I'm happy to know you!

Mosby Hardin said...

Such a good realization to make! I know I struggle with comparison all the time. Especially with body image. Someone's it's hard not to compare your life to those of others. But finding security in who you are first is so important. It helps you to not have negative feelings with comparison!

Erin LFF said...

You know what?! I really needed this today, I'm so glad you chose to share it. It's so easy to compare and get caught up in that, but it's def something I'm working on!!

Fran @ Sassy Southern Bride said...

I struggle w/ criticizing myself SO MUCH and always have! Good post!!

Ashley Carole (Sweet Carolina Belle) said...

Such a great post. Thanks so much for sharing. I am so guilty of the same thing.

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

Nikki... you know how I feel about motivational posts on Mondays... ;P :D

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

This is so good!

Nikki said...

I love this! It is a great message for everyone to hear!

Elise @ Her Heart and Home said...

LOVE that quote and that Scripture. Thanks for sharing (and encouraging!), love!!! xx

Lindsey said...

LOVE that quote! I needed to hear that! I def struggle with comparison and just read about it in my devotional this morning! I'm reading "Calm my anxious heart" and it is convicting!

P!nky said...

Wonderful motivation friend, I needed to hear it today!

Jessica Manning-Garner said...

Love this post! I'm guilty of beating myself up over the smallest things. I've willing to overlook faults in others, but not in myself.