Like Me

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:3

Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in comparing our skills and our stuff with other people’s skills and stuff that other people’s success can make us feel like we can’t keep up. We think that if someone has more than us—more talents or more things—then somehow, we aren’t good enough. As real as this can feel, the reality is, it’s just not true. It’s a lie we are telling ourselves. 

The truth is, God loves you so much, just the way you are. That’s true no matter what you do or don’t do, what you have or don’t have! Today, instead of feeling like you are playing catch up to everyone else, remind yourself that God has always loved you exactly as you are with a love that never ends.

Scripture: Luke 16:13

Money can be a useful tool, but when it goes from being a tool to being something that controls you, that’s when it becomes your master. A good test to see who’s in charge—you or your stuff—is to take an honest look at how generous you are. 

Does the idea of giving something away make you want to cling even tighter to it? Are you afraid that not being able to buy something or have something will impact your value or your worth as a person? Ask God to help you see your money and your things the way He sees them—as tools that can be used to serve others. And the next time you’re feeling like you aren’t enough because of what you have or don’t have, remember that your worth doesn’t come from what you do or don’t have. It comes from the God who made and loves you.  

Scripture: Psalms 19:14

Our words are powerful. Sometimes it can be tempting to use our words to tear people down in an effort to build ourselves up. This can be especially tempting when we compare ourselves to others—when we look at them and don’t feel like we measure up. But this approach is not good for us, and it’s not good for the person on the other end of our comparison. 

So instead of tearing down and comparing, try saying something that builds the other person up. Building someone else up isn’t just good for them; it gives us a dose of self-confidence ourselves. When we look for the best in others and speak up about it, it helps us see the best in ourselves, too. And that is pleasing to God.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:4

Chasing the wind sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? It seems like a lot of effort with no real guarantee of success. That’s exactly what it’s like when we choose to chase after what others have. It’s exhausting because there will always be someone with more stuff, more talent, more money, more intelligence, more athleticism, more…everything. In other words, that wish list of what we want that others have? It will never go away. 

The good news is that we don’t have to keep chasing, keep running, or keep living this way. We can choose to be content with what God has given us and find peace. Today, when you feel comparison start to create unhappiness, remember that God didn’t create you to chase the wind. He made you to chase Him and He is worth running after!

Scripture: Isaiah 40:25

Having stuff is nice. For a little while, getting that new phone, new pair of shoes, new car, new anything, seems to make us happy. But the truth is, that feeling never lasts. The satisfaction we get from the things we have today will eventually wear off over time. 

That’s why God offers something different—something that lasts. God offers His presence at all times, and that never gets old or worn out.  Like this verse says, there is nothing and no one equal to Him. No one compares. Today, ask God to help you find contentment and fulfillment in Him alone.

Scripture: Luke 12:7

Fun fact: There are an estimated 7.8 Billion people on planet earth and each person has an average number of 100,000 hairs on their head. I’m no math expert, but multiplication says that that is a lot of hair! Jesus said God knows about every single hair on your head. Big or small, nothing goes unnoticed to God. 

Do you believe that God knows you personally (even the tiniest of details) or do you worry He doesn’t even know your name? Pray about it, and think about how much God says you are worth to Him.  

Scripture: Romans 12:2

It can be easy to fall into the comparison trap. But this verse is laying out the importance of us guarding our hearts from comparing. Read this verse when you wake up and as you go to bed to help you memorize this verse. This helps so when you do start comparing, you can use this to combat those thoughts.

Scripture: Colossians 3:12

It’s nice to feel like you are chosen. Whether someone asks you to sit with them at lunch, asks you out on a date, or makes you the team captain, that feeling is pretty good, isn’t it? But not being chosen? Well, that’s not so great. 

In this letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul tells us we are all chosen to be part of God’s family. In fact, God calls us His sons and daughters. When you are facing rejection of any kind—at home, at school, with friends, on a team—remember the truth that you are chosen by God. The next time you feel like you don’t fit in because you don’t measure up, remember you always have a place with Him.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

A fresh start is always nice. A new school year, a new look or a new after school hangout spot can give you a chance to do things differently than you have before. In this verse, the apostle Paul tells us that when we believe that Jesus is who He says He is and He’ll do what He promises to do—we are more than just forgiven of our sins. We become new. We are changed. We can do things differently than we have before. 

Sometimes the biggest thing keeping us from experiencing the “new” God offers us is ourselves. Do you believe and live as though you have been given a fresh start and a new chance? If not, maybe today is the day you make the change and thank God for making you new.

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17

Isn’t it a great feeling when someone makes a big deal about getting to see you? Maybe you were out sick for a few days, went out of town, or you missed seeing a friend over the weekend. No matter where you were, when you came back, it was probably nice to know that you were missed. It’s always nice to feel noticed and appreciated. 

This verse tells us that’s exactly how God feels about us. Not just when we come back after being away from Him, but all the time! When it feels like no one else notices, God sees you, He cares, and delights in you. Do you know someone who needs to hear that truth today? Reach out to a friend and remind them that not only do you care about them, but God does, too. 

Scripture: Romans 6:14

Maybe you’ve heard a church leader talk about the idea that sin or our mistakes distance us from God. Not only that, but sin creates a gap between us and the people it hurts. God is never satisfied with anything that keeps us apart from Him. That’s why He offers freedom from sin. That doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, it means we don’t let sin get the last word. Instead, we lean into God’s grace and forgiveness—and that’s where freedom comes. 

What’s creating distance between you and God? Is something keeping you from experiencing the freedom God offers? Whatever it is, admit it to Him today, asking for the freedom that will allow you to go forward with Him and with others.

Scripture: Matthew 6:26

God invites us to call Him our “Heavenly Father.” It’s much more personal than calling Him “Lord” or “God.” This can be difficult if our experience with a father figure hasn’t been positive. No matter what we think of when we think about a father, God promises to be the kind of Father who looks out for us, takes care of us, and has our best interest at heart. 

When you feel lost, not good enough, or like you can’t get anything right, your heavenly Father knows you, loves you, and is taking care of you. He is the good Father who values and loves you no matter what. Read over this verse and spend some time thinking about how it can help you see God as your Heavenly Father.

Scripture: Psalms 147:5

It’s been said that knowledge is power. The largest library in the world is the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.. It holds over 168 million different books, journals, articles, and legal documents. That is a lot of knowledge and power contained in one place. 

Imagine sitting down and reading each item in that library and understanding what it all means. God’s wisdom is even more vast than that. His understanding has no limit: He knows more than what is contained in any library. God knows what is written in the story of your life. Today, think about how God knows everything about you and what that means for your life.

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Do you ever wonder how you remember every word from a song you haven’t heard in years? It’s likely because you played it over and over until you knew it so well, you sang it perfectly when it played years later. Just like with remembering lyrics to a song by listening to it over and over again, we can memorize Scripture by listening to it. There are many ways that you can listen to this verse. One way is to use this app… simply click on this verse, and click the play button. Try this as you memorize this verse. 

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:6

We all have unique skills and abilities. Some people are great athletes, writers, or musicians. Others are incredibly good at math or science. It can be tempting to look at the talent or skills others have and compare ourselves to them. It can make us feel like we don’t measure up or that we aren’t skilled in ways that matter. 

But in this verse, the apostle Paul says that we are all gifted, each one of us with different gifts. And God is behind all of them. God has generously gifted us with different qualities that don’t just make us unique; they point back to Him. Take some time today to think about the ways God has gifted you. Thank Him for the way He’s made you and the specific gifts He’s given you.

Scripture: Romans 12:6

Yesterday, we talked about how God has gifted each one of us uniquely. Once we discover the skills and abilities God has gifted us with, it’s our job to put them into action. Our gifts aren’t meant to be hidden or left unused. They are opportunities to lean into the way God has made us and to live out our gifts in a way that celebrates Him. 

Instead of spending time comparing ourselves to others, let’s work at discovering what makes us, us. Let’s focus on putting our gifts to work to showcase what God is like. Look for an opportunity to use your gifts—the things that make you, you—in a way that points to God.

Scripture: Romans 1:11-12

Hanging out with people who make you feel good about yourself is always nice. We appreciate it when the people around us build us up with their words. There’s something so encouraging about being noticed for who you are rather than feeling bad about who you aren’t. 

So, what if you made the choice to pass that same kind of encouragement on to others? What if you looked for an opportunity to encourage someone else? To celebrate who they are? Send them a text, give a shout-out on social media, leave a note, or make a point to encourage them with your words directly. However you choose to do it, look for ways to build others up this week.  

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12

Chances are we can all remember a time when we were told we couldn’t do something because we were too young. A lot of times it can feel like our age disqualifies us. But if we are honest, sometimes we use our age to disqualify ourselves. We don’t do as much as we can or should because we think we’re too young. But what if we saw ourselves as being far more capable than others or even ourselves see us? 

No matter your age, you can encourage the people around you by setting a great example. Your age doesn’t disqualify you from living in a way that honors God and motivates others. After all, you never know who is looking up to you. This week, ask God to show you ways you can make a positive difference in the lives of the people around you.

Scripture: Psalms 147:3

It can be hard to see it at the time, but difficult circumstances we go through can end up being a path to helping others. What difficult or challenging situations have you faced in the past? Do you know someone going through something similar right now? 

Try reaching out to that person today. Maybe you can share your personal experience to let them know that someone relates to their pain and remind them they’re not alone. Remind them that God is with them, and you are too. Letting someone know that you care might be just what they need—a reminder that God hasn’t forgotten them.

Scripture: Romans 15:7

How different are your friends? Do they like the same music, same movies, same sports?  We usually only hang out without people who are similar to us. What if God wants you to hang out with someone who isn’t like you? 

This week, try to include someone who looks different, has different tastes in music, or even has a different belief system. Try to accept them for who they are without trying to change them. Love them like Jesus.

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Memorizing Scripture is one way that we can guard our hearts, just as this verse is telling us to do. When we learn the Bible and keep it in our hearts, we allow it to guide our words and actions. We truly live out the things God has taught us. Let this be a reminder of the importance of memorizing Scripture as you learn this verse.