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I'm NOT Competing!

by Tonja Taylor
12/16/2023 / Womens Interest

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.- Philippians 2:3, KJV

I realized the enemy was sending subtle darts of pressure about the upcoming Christmas party for my husband's new job, especially about how I'd look in comparison to the other women there. Then, the loving Holy Spirit reminded me that I'm NOT competing!

We all want to look good, of course, but we need to examine our motives for wanting to look good. For instance, are we trying to catch the attention of a good-looking man (married or not), just to make ourselves feel better? Are we trying to "outclass" or "be sexier" than every other woman around--even in the church? By the way, opinions vary on what "classy" and "sexy" really are.

Humans without God (and often, even with God, before a Believer has grown in God a lot, to think and act and talk like Him, continually conscious of His Presence with us always) are fickle; what is attractive to a person one day can be the opposite the next day, etc. etc., ad nauseum.

In other words, is it all about us, because we need continual reinforcement to boost our confidence?

This would be one definition of "vanity", not to mention selfishness, manipulation (however subtle), etc. etc.--all works of the flesh. And, as it is written in the Word, the works of flesh (which come from the soul (mind/will/emotion) are enmity (against) God.

When we sow to the flesh, we reap of the flesh. But when we sow to the Spirit, we reap of the Spirit.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. - I Thessalonians 5:23, KJV

Or, is the way we dress and otherwise present ourselves (including and especially body language!) about bringing glory to God?

We true Believers are on the planet to help others see the living God, the LORD Jesus Christ, Who is not only holy, but pure.

There is nothing and no one in the world truly totally pure, except the LORD and His Word! However, (and I'm preaching to myself!), it's our job to continually seek what to change (repent of), and to strengthen what is of God in our lives, so others will be attracted to the Spirit of God and His Word.

The Word of God is eternal, which means everything God said in the Holy Bible stands forever!

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. - Luke 21:33, KJV

So, after a very active week with my brother in from states away, my dear elderly mother close to death, and things just being very different than before, I made an executive decision: I am NOT competing, and who really cares anyway?

I dressed nicely and modestly, and even with a pretty, classy sparkly jacket and nice fashionable black boots. I'd run out of time to style my hair like I'd planned, and my makeup was minimal....but my smile was big. I cast my cares on the LORD, and reminded myself that, since I'd been born again by my true faith in what Jesus did for me on the cross over 2,000 years ago, I was clothes with the Robes of Righteousness, and the Favor and Blessing of the LORD was and is upon me.

Jesus truly is the beautiful One! I am hidden with God in Christ. He is it me, and I in Him. I already pleased the LORD and my husband, and why would I try to impress someone else? I cannot control their opinions, and I'd spent wayyyyy too much money, time, energy, expectation, and more through the decades, trying to please my husband and others, and usually to no avail (My dear husband has since broken out of boxes and learned to love me even more for who I am, remembering also that I am one with Christ first, then with him, and when he esteems me, he is also esteeming himself! He's wonderful, and I'm so thankful for my darling Covenant Partner! Hallelujah!).

On top of that, I took authority over fear (which is the root of performance pressure!) in the Name of Jesus out loud, although all of these things I wrote before this are the main way to get the victory and be free!

You can do the same, no matter what's going on in your life. The LORD Who is fearless, Who is our victory and our freedom and our joy and our peace, and the Lover of our souls (among many other wonderful things!), will help you!

Once we truly believe in our hearts, repent of our sins, and receive Christ Jesus as our Savior and LORD, we are born again, and are God's precious children. We please Him from that moment, because we are continuously covered by the Blood of Christ! Hallelujah!

When we get our minds off ourselves and on to Him, life gets much better! We realize we are NOT competing, we are each a unique creation of Elohim (God the Creator), simply living life to be the very best each of us can be!

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.- 2 Corinthians 3:17, KJV

Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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