1019) There are thoughts I have from time to time that I would hesitate to speak about because of what people may think. One of them is that if God loves everyone, then what makes me important to him? Or If I am suffering over something, does this mean that it doesn’t “count” because there are other people who suffer more?

If I took the time to think through these questions/statements, it would probably change my perspective. Such as, it’s possible to love all of your children and each one remains special to you. As to suffering, it doesn’t matter if a person drowns in 7 inches of water or 7 feet of water, the result is the same. (I know, a little morbid–but it makes the point.) Suffering is suffering.

All of 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 speak about the gifts that God gives his people and, evidently, people in Paul’s day were not that different from people today. There were some who believed they were better than others because of the gift (s) God gave them and there were also others who believed their gift (s) weren’t as important. Paul clarifies that all gifts God gives are important and that no one is to think the ones they have are more important or less important.

There really is nothing to gain by these types of comparisons. Maybe we should choose what works.