Bible/Advice/Resources

By Summer Lane

Photo: Pixabay

Have you ever struggled with feeling like your life is just not “good enough” or “perfect enough”? 

Over the years, I struggled with comparison. When my husband and I first got married, we settled down in a farming community made up mostly of wealthy, decades-old agricultural families – and we were the odd ones out. There was no generational wealth for us to inherit or cushy jobs to walk into. It was hard to watch peers jet to Europe, Hawaii, and exotic California vacation destinations while my family was stuck at home, wondering if we could even afford to go out for dinner for a single meal. We worked hard, but like many other average American families, it was a challenge to make ends meet, despite dutiful budgeting, long work days, and careful, careful spending.

During these early days of marriage and later, motherhood, I fought with feelings of restlessness and unhappiness. I was discontent with my life. I compared myself to other families who were impossibly wealthy and I was angry that I wasn’t born into such a lucky circumstance. And it wasn’t just about travel – it was everything that came along with wealth. It was about the ease of their lives, the fact that other moms didn’t have to work like I did, that other moms had nice, new cars and I didn’t, and that I felt so insignificant about my own accomplishments that I refused to even speak about my own life during Bible studies or Moms Group at church.

I was embarrassed that I wasn’t rich, and I was convinced it was all God’s fault. In my experience at that time, the Christians I knew were almost unilaterally extremely wealthy, and so in my head, I had come to associate Christianity with blessings of financial success. Of course, I was terribly wrong – but it’s all I knew!

It took me a very long time to realize that my husband and I were not the anomaly – in fact, our situation as an average American family was very common. We just happened to be stuck in a wealthy community, which caused me to make unrealistic comparisons that were unfair to everyone. And, when I began digging in deep to studying the Bible, I realized that Christianity is not about being wealthy – it’s about glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. The Bible also says that Christians will suffer while on this Earth. For example, 2 Timothy 3:12 says: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

There is NO association between being a Christian and being guaranteed wealth and success. Most Christians around the world are persecuted or even killed for their faith. The cushion and ease of life in America has numbed many believers to this sobering reality, and in my experience, wealth can be more of a hindrance than a boon for the believer (I’m not saying this is always the case, but wealth without a Biblical compass is dangerous).

As years passed, we were able to build our own household up, but it wasn’t without pain, and we still have to be vigilant. But despite the tough times my family went through, I can honestly say that some of our thriftiest moments were my favorite memories! The hardships we’ve faced over the years have given me deep empathy for others who have gone through similar situations. I could never truly understand what they’ve been through unless I, too, had walked the same road.

Our challenges over the years were not a curse. They were a blessing from God. Every obstacle drove us closer to Him, not away. I had to learn that comparison is the thief of joy, and that not every Christian will be blessed with wealth or good health, and that’s okay. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

What a great reminder! Societal standards of success and worldly ideas of what it looks like to “make it” are NOT the measuring stick we should be using. We should measure ourselves only based on God’s Worth and His truth. It will never fail us, it will always fill us up, and it will never make us feel like our lives our meaningless.

Romans 8:28 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

***

Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and editor who is covering the White House and Trump administration. She owns Write Revolution News.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

Download Our New Counter Culture Mom App to get our trending news and pop culture alert notifications. Connect with other parents in the Parent Chat section to gain helpful ideas on how to counteract the Pop Culture Cult!

Be sure to contact us if there is an issue you would like to have us write about! Our mission is to help parents deal with today’s lifestyle trends and how to biblically navigate them.