One of the most depressing truths about suffering from CCS is that it stops us loving others.
The Bible is full of warning stories which are essentially examples of CCS run riot. Take the historical story of Joseph and his brothers, for instance. Joseph’s father, Jacob (also called Israel), “loved Joseph more than any of his [eleven] other sons” (Genesis 37 v 3). And to show this, he gave Joseph, and only Joseph, “an ornate robe”.
How did his brothers respond? When they “saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him” (v 4). They compared themselves with Joseph on the basis of their father’s love, came off worse, and were filled with envious hatred.
How did Joseph respond? He shared his dreams with them: “We were binding sheaves of corn out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered round mine and bowed down to it” (v 7).
Why did Joseph choose to share his dream in which he ruled his older brothers? Maybe he was simply young and naĂŻve. But probably he wanted them to know that, compared to them, he was greater, more successful, and headed for more significance than them. While his brothers show the symptoms of looking-up comparison, he displays the symptoms of looking-down comparison.... continue reading
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The way we spot the existence of CCS in us is via the signs—the feelings—it produces.
When you compare yourself with someone and they come off better than you, how do you feel?
And when you compare yourself with someone and come off better than them, what feelings does that produce?
When we compare ourselves with others, we’ll either “lose” or “win”. If we lose, we’ll find ourselves doing a “looking-up comparison”. We might think: “Her children are so much better behaved than mine” or: “She’s so much more confident than me” or: “I wish I had her house”.... continue reading
One place it happens to me is in a shopping centre. When another woman around the same age as me passes by, I give them a quick up-and-down scan. It’s just a two-second appraisal. And as I look at them, I see that they’re doing the same thing with me—a quick sideways glance.
What are we doing? We’re comparing ourselves with each other. How does my figure match up with hers? Does she look more or less stylish/cool/effortless than me? Do I look as good as her without having spent the money she clearly has? On all these measuring scales, do I win, compared to her? Or lose?... continue reading
Hairdressers are dangerous places for women to be. It's not so much the washing, drying and cutting that's the problem. Nor even the colouring and styling. But the sideways glances in which most of us indulge.
I guess you know what I mean. There are the "oh her hair looks gorgeous" glances -" I wish I had her curls or her volume or her ability to carry off that cut". Then there are the "Seriously? You honestly think bright green hair suits you?" glances as we stifle a smirk. The imaginary glances, "I bet she just rolls out of bed in the morning looking stunning". Or the introverted glances, "I love my new hair, I feel amazing now". Or alternatively, "bring me a paper bag NOW".... continue reading
1. Jesus is ____Why does human life matter?
Why should we help Children in Need? Why support Cancer Research? And why does it matter if we “terminate foetuses” or hasten the death of the terminally ill? They are only bodies, after all, complicated bags of cells with things we call reactions and emotions bubbling out of the soup which is life. Or at least, they are if there is no God.... continue reading
The UK has been rocked by recent allegations that the late Jimmy Savile, popular TV personality and charity campaigner, was infact one of the nation's most prolific paedophiles. The stories are shocking. The impact, devastating. The number of children hurt and the extent of the involvement of other celebrities is, as yet, unknown. So how, as Christians, can we pray? Here are our 10 thoughts…... continue reading
Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

    of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me

    to devour my flesh,

when my enemies and my foes attack me,

    they will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me,

    my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me,

    even then will I be confident.... continue reading
All this week on the blog Adrian Watt's has written a brilliant series on his experiences of planting a church in Bradford, in Yorkshire in England. So this week's blog offer is 50% off Gospel-Centered Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis.
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