Don't Eat The Bread

Social media can be a wonderful thing.
Social media can be a dreadful thing.

Instagram. Twitter. Pinterest. Facebook: Powerful tools to connect with others (which can be especially advantageous to us stay-at-home moms with little ones).

At the same time these tools, more often than not, paint an unrealistic view of what life is really like...

Smiling families, perfectly-posed.
A Pinterest craft someone just finished up with their kids.
A new mom’s sweet, cuddly and smiling newborn.
All so very picture-perfect.

But what you won’t see photographed is...
The time, tears and bribes it took to snap that perfect shot.
The frustration and impatience during what was supposed to be a “fun” craft time.
The pit of desperation from lack of sleep and learning how to nurse.
Not so picture-perfect.

No one would post about giving their husband the silent treatment after their third fight this week. No one is putting up colorfully filtered photos of themselves in their mystery-stain-coated clothing. And certainly no one is admitting their self-doubt and deepest fears about parenting that keep them tossing and turning at night.

If we’re not careful, this Valencia-filtered view of the world will shape the way we feel about our own lives.

Proverbs 31:27 is one of my most used “go-to” pieces of wisdom when I find myself caught in the comparison trap.

Here you see that our model mother  “looks well to how things go in her household and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.”

The first and second parts of the verse go hand-in-hand. You see, she is so focused on her home, her family that she is able to resist the enticing lure of  the “bread of idleness” because she is not tempted to compare herself and her household to everyone else and theirs.

Oh that I would be as strong as she — 
Looking well to the ways of my household,
Secure in my worth in the Lord,
Satisfied in my lot from Him.

Not speaking words that tear down other moms in a futile attempt to silence my own blaring doubts about my parenting abilities, or looking jealously upon their "picture-perfect" lives.

I’ve heard it said, and it still speaks to me today, “Don’t compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel."

When I’m finding myself jealous or discontent, it’s usually because I’m focusing too much on others’ highlight reels… and it’s time to take a break.

Next time jealousy and discontent smacks you in the face, take a swing back;
Sit down and allow the Lord to speak love and worth into your heart.
Hear Him say, “You’re doing an amazing job.”
Take a few minutes to list out a dozen things you have to be thankful for.

Look well to the ways of your household and you can be sure that that bread of idleness will become less and less tempting by the day.


Word of the Day:
“She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness
(gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.” Proverbs 31:27 AMP

Prayer
“Lord, I am tempted to compare my life to others. Help me to focus on and be grateful for the lot that you have put before me; You have blessed me so. Help me to walk in love and grace, instead of gossip and jealousy. Help me to look well to the ways of my household so that I may honor You. In Your Name, Amen."

Author:  Katie Gibson

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