On the journey of life there are many times when we may feel “less loved” than someone else. Our feelings may or may not be accurate but the impact of those feelings make a big difference in our lives and the lives around us. Entertaining these “less loved” feelings can nurture resentment, depression and even strong anger. Allowing these negative feelings into our lives tears us down and steals our zest for living. Comparisons are very faulty and rarely helpful. I’ve heard many conversations where someone categorizes someone else as the “favorite” – in a family, at work, or even in a ministry. We need to choose to operate on a more positive track. I have been so helped by John 21:22. This is the incident where Peter overhears Jesus talking to John and is apparently concerned that the provision for John will be different than the provision for himself, so he questions the Lord about it. Then Jesus turned and said to Peter, “What is that to you?” In other words He was communicating, “I have assured you of my love and demonstrated my love to you over and over. Your value and worth to me is not measured by the way you perceive my dealings with others.” Then He told Peter, “You follow me”.
It is so easy to get off the trail as a Jesus follower by becoming an inspector of all the other arrangements God seems to be making for the other Pilgrims on the way. We can sour a relationship by measuring our loved status compared to others. The Lord would have us thank Him for His love, thank others for their love and kindly regard, and stop losing our joy over deciding someone else has a more favored position. All our worrying, fretting and fussing over ranking is so often wrong. So let’s leave it behind and move on.
On the other hand, showing favoritism is hurtful and we want to learn ways of showing love that builds up the people in our world. A wonderful help is to read Gary Chapman’s “Five Love Languages.” As Believers we are to spread God’s love with a generous hand and He will help us. If we realized how much God loves us we would never feel slighted.
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Less Loved
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