Tempted To Brag

If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.

“You’re here!” Audrey said, running to meet her friend Jocelyn at the curb. Jocelyn was visiting for the first time, and Audrey was eager to show her around.

“Your garage is almost as big as mine,” Jocelyn said as they walked toward the house.

Audrey nodded, not sure what to say. She’d never thought about her garage very much. Maybe Jocelyn would like her room instead.

But as the tour continued, the comparisons did too. Jocelyn’s house was bigger and newer. She had her own cell phone and had all kinds of popular, new toys that Audrey didn’t have.

“Do you want to listen to music?” Audrey asked. “I can have my mom turn it on for us.”

“Don’t you have an Alexa in your room?” Jocelyn asked.

Audrey fell silent. It didn’t matter what she said—Jocelyn always had something better. She was stumped.

Sometimes when people are insecure, they will compare themselves to others to make themselves seem stronger. But comparisons can be hurtful, and when we talk about what we own in a way that makes others feel left out, it can ultimately harm our friendships. After all, it’s not the things we have that define us, but how we treat others.

It takes a lot more bravery for us to talk about what we lack than to talk about the parts of our lives that make us strong or happy. The Bible reminds us that if we’re going to brag about anything, it should be our weaknesses, because it’s through them that people are able to see the power of God at work. When we look back at problems we have overcome, seeing the way God helped us can strengthen our faith. And, it’s only when we admit our weaknesses that we allow others to see the real us. If we’re willing to share the hard parts of our lives with our friends instead of bragging about the easy parts, it will strengthen our faith and our friendships.

Things to Think About

• Think of a time when a friend bragged. How did you respond?
• What does it mean to “boast” about our weaknesses? What might that look like?

DAILY ACT OF FRIENDSHIP

List three of your strengths and three areas you are challenged in. Talk to a friend you trust about a weakness or struggle in your life.