We Keep “Should-ing” All Over Each Other
We live in the “Land of Er” . . . words were spoken by Andy Stanley, the pastor of North Point Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
We want to be more than what we are and where we are . . . we use our relationships with others, often times subconsciously, as measuring sticks for what and who we should be in our lives.
Because we live in the “Land of ER” – we then move to “should-ing” all over each other.
“You should be doing better in school.”
“You should be making more money.”
“You should be more attentive to me.”
“You should have a different set of friends.”
“We should live in a different neighborhood, drive a different kind of car, etc.”
The list could go on forever . . . but the bottom line is because of the comparison trap we place ourselves in, we look at those closest to us and “should” all over them.
What if we work on filling in these sentences . . .
“I’ll never be as ________ as he/she is (or they are).”
“My kids don’t need to be as ___________ as he/she is (or they are).”
“My spouse doesn’t need to be as ____________ as his/hers is.”
Comparison can hijack our lives if we allow it to.
Let us focus on being content with what we have.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 Common English Bible (CEB)
4 I also observed that people work hard and become good at what they do only out of mutual envy. This too is pointless, just wind chasing.
