Don’t Judge Your Inside Based on Another’s Outside

Credit where credit is due, a great deal of this stems from something I heard on the radio not too long ago, but felt I needed to share my own story with with it. By anyone’s standard, you could say I am successful. I’m self-employed and run my own business. By the world’s criteria and my sense of self-confidence, I’m a pretty well-off guy. But here’s the thing. By my standards, I’ve come up short. I see peers and other entrepreneurs with nicer houses, better cars, fancier clothes, and I can’t help but feel a sense of mediocrity. I could do better. I’m sure most people at some point have taken a look at someone else who is better off and thought to themselves, “what would I have to do to be like that?”

Here’s the thing: at the end of the day, when it all comes out in the wash, we’re all a little messed up on the inside. No matter how pretty the packaging is, there are a few pieces inside that are broken-maybe we’re missing a few parts or are a bit more fragile than others. Only God knows us inside and out so only He knows our complete worth. No one else on earth can come up with an accurate summation of damages and worth based on how we look or how hold ourselves. No estimate can come close.

This may be news to you, but you’re a little weird. That’s okay. I’m a little weird, too. Over time, we grow accustomed to our own brand of strange and even start to like others’ quirks and habits. Almost all of my entrepreneur friends struggle with the same kinds of problems and the same kinds of doubts. It’s hard to judge someone when you realize that the same things you’re looking down at them for are the same things you have issues with. Maybe we could get somewhere if we started appreciating each other for these quirks and looking out for each other when we encounter these struggles rather than passing judgement and readying ourselves to throw stones. We should consider ourselves blessed that we live in a world where redemption waits for those willing to believe.