The Best You, Not Just A Better You

It’s really easy to convince ourselves that things are okay. We have a house (maybe it’s not the house we always wanted, but we have a house). We have a car (maybe it’s not the car we always wanted, but we have a car). We have a spouse (maybe it’s not the spouse we always wanted, but we better keep that one to ourselves). We’re not doing the things we used to do, at least not as much. We’ve learned to control our temper. We’ve stopped drinking every day. We’re only looking at porn when our spouse is out of town. We’re no longer in that unhealthy relationship… this one is much better. We’re not gossiping as much. We’re making sure some of the bills are paid before going to the racetrack. We’re better! We’re making progress!

Unfortunately, many of us stay there.

We settle for slightly better, slightly improved. We look at our friends and our neighbors and our family members and think, “At least I’m not that bad.” And because we play the comparison game, we settle for being better than others. We didn’t intend to, but we’ve already classified everyone else as those people (it makes us feel better to do that). Instead of continuing down the path of recovery, instead of pursuing progress, we simply try to stay a few steps (maybe a step) in front of those people.

We’re all those people.

That person might drink more than you.

That person might look at porn more than you.

That person might hop from bed to bed more than you.

That person might spread rumors more than you.

That person might gamble more than you.

The problem is… you’re still doing it.

Progress isn’t based on how you’re doing in comparison to someone else. Progress is measured in how you’re doing… period. That’s it. That’s all. As soon as you start to think things are okay is the moment you start to think quitting is a good idea. And I’m not talking about quitting your sin I’m talking about quitting your fight.

Stop looking at everyone else.

Stop worrying about what others are doing.

Start focusing on the life God has given you and the plans He has for that life.

He has plans to prosper you, not harm you.

He has plans for a future and hope.

He has plans for the best you, not just a better you.