Stop comparing yourself.

On Tuesdays, I am teaching a workshop focused on “How to quit trying to measure up to others.” It was interesting to me how many women in the class are battling the “comparison struggle.” I have come to realize that we all deal with this struggle in some form or fashion.

I asked on our first night, “What made you decide to be a part of this study?” One by one each of the women in the class shared how they are battling their “comparison struggle.” They identified television, social media, family, friends, and others as that constant reminder that they do not “measure up.”

I confess that I also battle with the “comparison struggle” and for many years I was not successfully combating it. I felt inadequate, unlikeable, insecure, lacking confidence, and was bound by fear. When I became a born-again believer, I still battled with the same “comparison struggles.” However, it was not until recent years that I began to finally see some victory when I allowed God’s promises to unquestionably define me, rather than the lies of the enemy.

“For we would never dare to compare ourselves with people who have based their worth on self-commendation. They check themselves against and compare themselves with one another. It just shows that they don’t have any sense!” 2 Corinthians 10:12 VOICE

In this series, we looked deeper into the “comparison struggle” and discovered it all boils down to this realization: Comparison is a battle to see whose truth we want to believe—the lies of the enemy or God’s promises. It is all about letting God’s promises reshape our perspective and rule our thoughts and actions. It is about embracing who we are in Christ and being free to just be ourselves.

“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.” Galatians 5:25-26 MSG We don’t have to let yesterday define us, or be my legacy for tomorrow. Each day is filled with new opportunities to take God at His Word; to allow Him to bring about new perspectives, new hope, and creative possibilities. God wants to use us. He wants to bless us. We can become effective when we quit comparing ourselves with others. “Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” Galatians 6:4 MSG

Let us choose to NEVER compare ourselves with others or be envious. Let us stop looking to the left and the right and keep our eyes on the opportunities that lie ahead for us. Let’s allow God to birth new vision, and new purpose in us instead.

Blessings, Cindy