Look Straight

Something I find myself saying often is telling my sons to stop correcting each other. They’re quick to point out who is doing wrong, but I remind them that they are responsible for their own actions—not the actions of those around them. They don’t need to carry that kind of weight.

The way we share in one another’s burdens is through prayer and encouragement. It’s good to help each other, but not to take on the responsibility of someone else’s choices. That isn’t ours to carry—that’s Jesus’ role. He carries the heavy burdens so that ours can be light.


Verse 4 teaches us to focus on our own work. When we do, we can find satisfaction in what we’ve done well, without needing to compare ourselves to anyone else.

As soon as we begin to compare ourselves we will be dissatisfied in the job we have in front of us. What once was fulfilling now leaves us empty because instead of keeping our eyes ahead of us, we are looking left and right.

This is something I need to continue to remind my kids, but also need this reminder myself.

Comparison is the thief of joy. When we start measuring ourselves against other parents—seeing where they seem to be succeeding or how their children excel in certain areas—we can quickly lose sight of what’s right in front of us. Looking at what others are doing and thinking we should follow their path often pulls us away from what’s best for our own family.

I need to seek the Lord to guide me in making the right decisions for my children and my family—not decisions made out of exhaustion or haste. I will choose to rest and ask Him for strength. I want to keep my eyes on Jesus, focusing on what He has entrusted to me, instead of looking to the left or right and wondering if I’m “doing it right” compared to others.
It’s good to be inspired by others—that has its place—but I won’t let comparison or distraction pull me off the course and purpose God has set before me.



Galatians 6:1-5 NLT
[1] Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

[2] Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

[3] If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

[4] Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

[5] For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Always be willing to help others, but don’t carry the weight of their actions upon yourself. You will stand before the Lord for yourself not what they did or didn’t do. Stay the course the Lord has before you.