Can we learn to rethink comparison?
Episode 78 - Stephanie is welcoming a guest today. Make sure you have also listened to our previous two episodes, episodes 76 and 77, on the Cross and the Resurrection. Stephanie was teaching us about unique glimpses into the truth of Easter! They are part of our Easter celebration! Over the next two weeks, we will have two very special guests for Palm Sunday and Easter. Then, on April 5, we will start a brand new series taught by Stephanie on the Book of Proverbs! So, make sure to FOLLOW the podcast to get a reminder when a new episode drops!
Onto today's interview...
Have you ever suffered from comparison? Have you ever found yourself sizing yourself up against someone else... and feel superior... or inferior? As Christians, we know better... with our heads. But we fall in the trap of comparison so easily! We've probably heard that we should avoid this trap. Easier said than done! What if there was an alternative?
Today Stephanie welcomes Amber Cullum, podcaster, inspirational speaker, wife and mom. They dive deep into the topic of comparison: is it really a trap to avoid at all costs? What if we could instead redefine and recycle comparison to draw us closer to God?
In this very real and off-the-cuff conversation, Stephanie and Amber hold each other accountable and remember what truly matters--to find our delight in the glory of God!
They start off with the importance of remembering God's faithfulness, especially in our times of unfaithfulness, and move on to the worldviews behind comparison to replace them with a more Godward encounter with comparison. Amber gives us practical advice to overcome an attitude of comparison. What happens when we place someone on a pedestal? How do we tackle the current Christian celebrity culture? What alternatives is Christ offering us? From arrogance to idolatry, our human nature veers away from the freedom of our God-given boundaries to embrace what we think is best for us--much to our detriment.
Amber Cullum is the podcast host behind Grace Enough. She is wife to Sam, a mom of 3, and a Physical Therapist turned stay at home mom. She love connecting women with God, people, and resources to spur them on in their walks with Jesus and remind them that God's grace is enough.
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In a nutshell, we exist to inspire Christ-followers to delight in God.
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We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.
Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog
Identity in the battle | Ephesians
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/
Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/
Shades of Red | Against human oppression
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/
God's glory, our delight
https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/
You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer
There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.
But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?
As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.
If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!
A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER
To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.
We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.
So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.
There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.
Let’s begin.
THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE
Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.
So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.
Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!
So, let’s get started.
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