6. Compared to Who? Comparisons and contentment

02/01/21 • 42 min

In this episode we talk about how comparing ourselves to others rob us of joy and contentment.
We've been reading 'Compared to Her' by Sophie de Witt in which she talks about two types of comaprisons;
Looking up, where we think i wish i had her......
and Looking down, I'm so glad i don't have her...
We talk about different areas we are tempted to compare ourselves to others in, both worldly ways and 'spiritual' ways.
We briefly think about some unhelpful advice that is often given before looking at what right thinking would look like; sticking in our lane with the Lord, what he is working on in us and how he has been at work in us.
Leading us to three things we are often looking for when we do comparisons;
Significance
Satisfaction
Security
and seeing how looking to God to fulfil these things instead will be so much better for us.
We finish with our verse for the episode;
Phil 4:12-13: 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Previous Episode

5. Lockdown Lessons

Join us as we think about life in Lockdown and what lessons we can learn. We answer some of your questions, and listen to some of your advice.
We talk about good habit setting, boundaries, coping with homeschooling, fears, hunkering down and how to look to others.
We end by thinking about how we can love God more through lockdown, and how we can love neighbours.
Our verse(s) for the episode;
Psalm 46 ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way.. Be still and know that i am God.’
and
Romans 8 v38-40
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here is the website Charley mentioned for donating laptops;
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3yrtgmkfHBbsXfQfYkJp7CF/make-a-difference

Next Episode

7. Quiet Times

Whether you've been doing a quiet time for years or you have no idea what on earth one is Anna and Charley seek to debunk some myths and encourage one another with some truths about what we do and why we do it as well as thinking about some of the challenges that we face and recommend some resources.
Our verse(s) for the episode come from Psalm 19;

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

11 By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12 But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Some of the recommended resources include;
Bible notes/books to help read through the Bible : Tim Keller’s 'My Rock My Refuge'
Dale Ralph Davis 'The way of the Righteous in the Muck of Life', Glen Scrivener 'Reading between the Lines', Don Carson, 'For the Love of God,' 'Explore by the Book, 90 days in..... ' (from the Good Book Company) Good Book Company series: James for You/Acts for You

Topic Books: 'Joy', 'Contentment' by Lydia Brownback, Keswick: 'Food for the Journey.'

Prayer Books: 'Praying through the Bible for your Kids' Nancy Guthrie, 'Prayers of an excellent wife' Andrew Case. 'Piercing Heaven, Prayers of the Puritans', 'The Valley of Vision' Puritan prayers.

Apps: Bible in a Year, Desiring God, Prayer Mate (Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Prayer) NIV audio bible