Complement, not Compete

When I was in New Orleans last weekend at the Geaux Wild Planner Conference (post on that coming Monday!), and I had the privilege of hearing Erin Condren speak, she brought up an excellent point:

She brought this up as she was talking about how her daughter had been struggling in school with mean girls, and yes, I agree that we all need to complement instead of compete with each other (especially us women of all ages).

Can we apply this to our faith, though?

Yes. yes we can.

1 Thessalonians 5:11a states: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up" (NIV). Paul was writing specifically to the church in Thessalonica, and he was likely addressing their specific needs (the rest of the verse goes on to say "just as in fact you are doing," which could imply that they were already good encouragers, and Paul could just be giving them a pat on the back and urging them to continue). What if we took that advice, along with making every effort to encourage every time we even thought about competing with someone?

Sure, there are people in our lives who seem so cool. Either they're superstars at their job, or they are great with household management, or they have the relationship or marriage of their dreams, and the list goes on. What we don't realize is that the people we think are so cool are far from perfect. Though the people we see as "cool" on the outside may appear that way, the appearance usually varies from what's underneath.

So, don't bring anyone down. Don't belittle someone. Likewise, don't make anyone feel inferior. Instead, encourage everyone. Help them when they need it. In turn, you both will be blessed, and you could potentially gain a fabulous friendship that you wouldn't have otherwise had.

Plus, you have no idea how much a complement can mean to someone.

Complement instead of compete, y'all. You'll be glad you did.