Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.”
Most people think that once they have their diploma in their hand, they are not only able to shed homework, teachers, and mandated gym classes, but the popularity contests that can make the school years unbearable. However, it does not stop there. Even though you are given the privilege of graduating into adulthood; with that responsibility comes cliques associated with the workplace, church volunteering, mom’s group…the list is endless. I am sure if you looked hard enough, you would even find cliques in retirement facilities.
Thinking about this phenomenon and trying to determine which people are less affected by the whole cycle, my conclusion is this: Usually the people who escape the popularity syndrome unscarred are the ones whose focus consistently remains outward instead of inward. By focusing on others needs and asking God what He can do to show us how to be a blessing to others, we focus less on what we are and more on what we can do.
Another way to put it is this: By continuing to keep our focus God-centered, caring only what He thinks of us, our focus stays off of ourselves and genuinely gravitates toward how we can bless others. When doing this, people are not only naturally drawn to us but hopefully we become an example for others to follow, inspiring them in turn to focus on others instead of themselves.
So, if you feel at any time in your life you are losing the popularity contest, purposefully take your focus off yourself and instead focus on one way to bless someone else. Not only will you feel happier, but more than likely, you wind up being the ultimate winner.