Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.
This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)
Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!
Today's word: inferior
What does the word inferior mean to you?
What is the difference between feeling inferior and being humble?
How does/can God change our perspective on being inferior?
Let me know what you think!!
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"
Inferior to me means feeling less than or not good enough. I believe being humble is knowing or being confident of your abilities but realizing they come from God and not yourself.
ReplyDeleteIf a person feels inferior they see themselves as having less value than others. One who is humble, knows their own value yet doesn't laud it over others. Jesus' humility is a perfect example. Humility is power under Godly restraint.
ReplyDeleteI will default to something that I heard quoted about a decade ago.
ReplyDeleteHumility isn't thinking less of yourself, It's just thinking of yourself less.
That's the definition of "humble" to me.
Inferiority unfortunately, is all wrapped up in thinking of self. Just because we tag it as a more "acceptable" form of vanity, it is vanity nonetheless if we are constantly comparing ourselves to others.
I admit that I struggle (really, really struggle) with what used to be called an inferiority complex. It has caused a lot of problems in my life and continues to do so daily.
I love Debbie's explanation of Humility. I don't think God is pleased when we constantly compare ourselves to each other. I think in a writer's world it's difficult. We hear the cadence of another writer's voice and despair! I have to be thankful for what God has given me.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the above explanations.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
Great comments, everyone!
ReplyDeleteWhat does the word inferior mean to you?
Being less than, not as important, falling short, sub-par. I think the word inferior has a *hidden* connotation to it. For we only judge things (or people) inferior when we compare them to other things (or people) that are deemed superior.
What is the difference between feeling inferior and being humble?
Feeling inferior is a situation when we use our own perspective to judge ourselves. We compare ourselves to others who are smarter, prettier, wealthier - whatever. And after we apply that standard, we decide we are inferior. This feeling is almost always accompanied by other feelings such as jealousy, resentment, discouragement, envy.
Being humble is a situation when we use a different perspective. It is when we focus on the fact that all we have, and all we are, comes from the loving and good providence of God. We compare ourselves to His standard - and though we fall short - it is HIS salvation that makes us children of God. We are humble when we realize that we are all sinners - and yet, we are gloriously elevated to a position higher than angels.
How does/can God change our perspective on being inferior?
I think I began to touch on that in my above comments. God changes everything. Feeling inferior is really just pride in disguise - and it is a sign of self-focus. But, when we focus on God, who He is, and who we are to Him - well, then we can rise above these earthly short-comings and realize that we are made in the image of a loving God.
Thanks, as always, for participating in "Fan the Flame"!
GOD BLESS!