“Oh, I wish I had long, straight hair like her instead of my wild, curly hair.” “How could I let myself get this heavy when they look so slim and fit?” “I can’t speak in front of them. They know much more about the Bible than I do.” Why would anyone want to read what I write when there are so many better bloggers than me?” “They wouldn’t be my friends if they knew how many more times I fail than they do.”
Comparison. To be honest, it’s been a way of life for me for as long as I can remember and I always end up feeling I come up short. It’s easy, especially with social media, to find someone who appears prettier, thinner, smarter, wiser, or more talented and successful than I am. Ever been there? Jumping in and spending time in the comparison pool is just like treading water. It gets you no where fast and is exhausting! The longer we stay there the more shriveled our souls feel and our joy truly is swept away with the tide.
Try as I might to avoid immersing myself in all the ways I don’t measure up, I somehow seem to dip my toes in and before I know it I’m being pulled under. Why? It’s hard to stay afloat when I’m weighted down with me, me, me.
“Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
I’m not there yet, but I am beginning to realize that God never intended for us to compare ourselves to one another. He created each of us, just the way we are, to do His perfect will. Stop for a minute. Just think about that…..The things that we may wish to change are the same things God gave us with a purpose. Switching our focus from “me of this world” to “God has a plan for me in this world” offers us relief from drowning in comparison. We’re not supposed to be like anyone else! Let that sink in.
I had to take a break from this post and come back today because as I wrote these words on Wednesday I became disappointed with myself for not being able to tell you I have this comparison thing whipped. I. Don’t. Knowing comparison is not what God wants for me and doing it anyway makes me just plain frustrated with myself! Do you have similar struggles? I’m glad to say that since beginning this Wise Wednesday post, God has reminded me that our transformation doesn’t happen quickly. It’s a lifetime process. My prayer today is that we become more aware of those things, like comparison, that keep us from seeing who we really are and that we’re able to change the way we think so we can joyfully splash in the good and pleasing will of God!
This is great, Cindy! What a beautiful reminder that God made us to be exactly who we are! He gave us each our own talents, and it is up to us to find and use those talents. I am thankful for this post today. I too, struggle at times with wishing or wondering why I can’t be more like her, or why was she blessed with that certain characteristic that I strive for, why did she get that life and I got this life, and on and on and on. Yes, I need to just be thankful for the gifts and the beautiful life He gave me, as well as thankful for the gifts He gave that other person who I wish to “be like!” Without her, I wouldn’t receive the blessing of how she has touched my life! I need to focus on His perfectly mastered plan for me and my life, use the gifts I have received and be thankful for the people He uses to help me grow in my walk with Him!
Thanks Rachelle! I love your piece of loving the other women we’d like to be like! Now THAT is wise!
Good message. I do the same thing, and as I age, I tend to question myself all of the time.
Really thought I’d have it all together by now, Liz! We’love have to support one another! Thanks for your comment!
Wonderful message Cindy. I was lucky enough to not get the competitive gene. ha ha And it’s served me well, although, it took years to understand other people and why they acted the way they did. No matter how we are made, it’s hard to get a long. I agree, it’s very important to remember that God made us just the way he wanted and we must be content and rejoice in that. Also to rejoice in how he made others! I think he made someone pretty special when he made you! xo
Oh my goodness, LaVonne! Back atchya! I sure wish the competitive gene would exit stage left from my makeup! I’m glad you are free from the comparison trap! Thanks for stopping by!