The Thief of Joy
May 18, 2012 by 24 Comments
The Best Days of My Life
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On Writing ::
The Room to Fail
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” Paulo Coelho When I walked into the touristy bakery on the Champs Elysee, my mind silently conjugated the college French from so long ago before I even uttered the broken sentence. I said something haltingly and the woman behind [...]
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It took me a long time to say that I’m a writer. It took me over a year of writing EVERY day. And I mean every day for me to admit to myself that I’m a writer, and then a few years after that for me to comfortably admit to anyone else that I was. [...]
Fun on a Friday – Writing Playlist
This isn’t my normal post, but since a few of you have asked, this is my go-to playlist for writing. It’s kind of my one-size-fits-all music for writing. It’s inspiring, happy but not too upbeat and altogether just a peek into my peaceful place. These are listed in the order that are actually in my [...]
Absolutely! I know I beat myself, quite frequently, for what I think I should be or accomplish. I’m my own worst critic. I try and remind myself that if I’m trying my best and looking to Him, I will be my best.
thank you jess!!
PS. Praying for you.
I wonder if we, as women, wouldn’t play the comparison game like we all do if we all caught hold of the freedom that comes with knowing our worth comes from WHO we are not what we DO.
Yes, yes, and yes- i totally agree with you…this is one of the biggest joy stealers! Thanks for the reminder Sarah…I always need to be aware of this (comparison) in my life!
I my…I have known this too…I was my worst critic…the standard I held my self to was unattainable. It is a horrible task master…the never measure up. I heard a man say….”we shouln’t should on ourselves…and we shouldn’t should on others. Just taking that one word out of our vocabulary brings freedom. For me…the more I have come to know how truly loved I am by Christ… I am able to accept each day…no matter if it is full of “successes” or “failures”, with more rest and peace.
thanks for sharing your heart…and really what is a struggle for most…if not all woman. have a wonderful weekend…blessings~
For sure comparing ourselves is kind of a cut on who God made us as we are and the best thing we can do is be ourselves better. Comparing will steal our joy. I was told once that we are exactly where we are supposed to be, I try to rest in that, but also that He loves us too much to leave us where we are so there’s always room for improvement.
Also that God has BiG plans for us. I tell my children that often and truly believe that. I believe that everyone ever born God has BiG plans for, but most people don’t know it. Thanks for the confirmation that we’re not supposed to be the skinny model, the perfect writer or the neighbor down the street. I think God has a great sense of humor because He made me and loves me anyway….
Absolutely… Always goes back to our identity! Who we are in Christ and what we have in HIM!
This was so relative for women in a modern world!
comparison in all forms steals joy and i agree…when we compare ourselves to ourselves the joy is sapped out of us. thank you. looking forward to next weeks post.
Huge Sigh, um yes. Thanks for sharing because this is so hugely IT for me. This is going to sit in me for a while. I am going to pray on this subject, I know God is speaking to me.
Great video Sarah. Thank you for sharing this. I think most women tend to do this (compare) and I agree it is a joy stealer. We need to remember who we are in Christ and that He doesn’t want us comparing ourselves to others.
yes YES!! =)
You have hit a tender spot. It’s not just a woman issue, we men suffer from this. I compare myself to others and to what I should be or should have done (looking back). Yeah, very self-defeating.
Thirty-seven times in Ephesians Paul uses the phrase: “in Christ” or its equivalent. These passages speak to this sin I live with:
Ephesians 1:3-14
Ephesians 2-10 (we can’t forget v. 10!!)
Ephesians 4:26-32
Ephesians 5:21
Ephesians 6:10-18
And that last one is critical because one of the schemes of the devil is to listen to my own evaluation of myself, not Christ’s declaration of who I am.
Thank you so much for your honesty, Sarah. Keep it up. Even us old codgers can identify with you.
Thanks Rich. I always love your comments. They speak to my heart. =)
We are our own worst critics, aren’t we?
I definitely understand what you mean. It’s a battle I fight daily…am I living up to my own ‘standards’? Or am I seeking to find my place in Him each day? Comparison IS the thief of joy, and it finds whatever way it can to get to us, for sure.
I actually had a friend over the other day and I was doing laundry- I had laundry in the hallway. The ‘me’ that I try to live up to sometimes would have been mortified. The ‘me’ that was seeking God sought hospitality and friendship first. (That’s just one battle I won.)
Thank you Renee! i feel the same way.
I was JUST having this exact conversation then I watched your video! I love how God brings things to us at the exact time we need them. I just can’t stop listing all the “shoulds…”
me neither! thank you katie!!
I thought of you as I drove through Orange today, and what a treat to see your vlog. I love the purity of your heart and the transparency of your sharing. I get it, I *so* get it. That’s all.
~Jacque
aww! thank you jacque!
Sarah you are so encouraging. Tremendous video! Thank you!
beautiful vlog post. and one i needed to be reminded of/hear. can’t wait to read the post this week
thank you 
This is a great video and question. Lot’s of food for thought. Thank you.
Wow this really spoke to me…and I realize that I do this a lot. Especially when it comes to my body image. I am a mom of 4 year old twins, and I still struggle every day with the body I have now. I think about the flat stomach I had before and berate myself for eating those cookies last night or not working out, so that I can have that again. Although I know it will never look like it did before. I think I compare myself to who I think I should be WAY more than I compare myself to others. Thanks so much for this message…very eye opening. And I’m so happy to have found your blog.
Added you to my FB list personally and through my blog page. Happy Tuesday!