Different is Okay

The sun is glorious in one way, the moon is glorious in another way, and the stars are glorious in their own [distinctive] way; for one star differs from and surpasses another in its beauty and brilliance.

(1 Corinthians 15:41)

We are all different. Like the sun, the moon, and the stars (see 1 Corinthians 15:41), God created us to be different from one another, and He did it on purpose. Each of us meets a need, and we are all part of God's overall plan,. when we struggle to be like others, not only do we lose ourselves, but we also grieve the Holy Spirit. God wants us to fit into His plan, not to feel pressured to try and fit into everyone else's plans. Different is okay; it is all right to be different.

We are all born with different temperaments, different physical features, different fingerprints, different gifts and abilities, etc. Our goal is to discover what we are supposed to be as individuals, and then succeed at that.

Romans 12 teaches us that we are to give ourselves to our gift. In other words we are to find out what we are good at and then throw ourselves wholeheartedly into exercising our gifts.

I discovered that I enjoy doing what I am good at doing. Some people feel they are not good at anything, but that is not true. When we make an effort to do what others are good at doing, we often fail because we are not gifted for those things but that does not mean we are good for nothing. We should look for what we are good at and function in it.

We all have limitations, and we must accept them. That is not bad; it is just a fact. It is wonderful to be free to be different, not to feel that something is wrong with us because we are different.

We should be free to love and accept one another, as well as ourselves, without feeling pressure to compare of compete. Secure people who know God loves them and has a plan for them are not threatened by the abilities of others. I encourage you to be secure enough to enjoy what other people can do and to enjoy what you can do. Say positive things about yourself instead of negative things because that will help release the gifts God has place in you.

Page 1878
The Everyday Life Bible
The Power of God's Word for Everyday Living
Amplified Version
Featuring Notes And Commentary By: Joyce Meyer

And please remember that God loves you very much.