My husband has the gift of encouragement. It seems as if every time he speaks, his words build others up. I always thought I was an encourager of others, that is, until we got married. I quickly saw what it looks like to continually use words of affirmation. What I was doing was using encouraging words at seemingly appropriate times, not all the time.
In comparing myself to my husband, I thought that there was something wrong with me. Was I not living out my faith enough? Was I using my words to tear others down rather than build them up? Through these questions, I realized that I do use my words to encourage, but the Lord has gifted me in other ways. I don’t have to be like my husband, and that’s a good thing.
This may sound like a simple truth, but it is one that we often fall prey to. As women, we so easily compare ourselves to others. As moms, we often compare our children or our parenting to others. Paul’s words in Romans 12 are meant to combat this issue. His words are empowering to live as God has purposed each one of us.
When you become a believer, the Holy Spirit endows you with a spiritual gift. These spiritual gifts are meant to build up and bless the church and the kingdom of Christ. There are a variety of gifts because there are many tasks within the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 list some of the different spiritual gifts. The characteristics that bind all of them together are love and service. No matter what your gift may be, the purpose of it is not to build up yourself or your platform. Instead, it is to be used for the sake of others and of Christ.
For some, it is very apparent what your gift is. For others, it may take time to realize what your gift is. The encouragement is not to seek to gain another’s gift but to rather thrive within yours. If I were to try to live out my husband’s gifts or lament that his gifts aren’t mine, I would struggle as would the church. When I use my gifts of teaching and discernment, I find that I live my life as a worshipful offering.
Our homes and churches are meant to be places where we help others discover and use their spiritual gifts. When we see the Holy Spirit at work in others, we should tell them and help them to find ways to excel still more.
This simple truth is one we are to remind ourselves of daily. To fight comparison is to find contentment. May we seek to live lives that are surrendered and united under the banner of Christ.
Let’s study God’s Word together!
This blog post is part of our Grace-Filled Motherhood series. Learn more about the study and join us for encouragement and growth.
