Why can’t she be like…? Why can’t he be like..? When will they do things like…? I cannot deal with them till they change and become like… Any of these statements familiar? Have you found yourself making them or been a recepient of them? Are you constantly trying to be like someone else for one reason or the other ? Has comparison become so part of you that you have completely lost understanding or confidence in who you are, your own uniqueness and identity?
The first step to ending comparison is to accept yourself. It is only after we accept ourselves that others can then accept us.
Before you can be accepted for who you truly are, you need to truly accept yourself. This is only possible when we know who we are in the Lord.
Comparison is the thief of your true identity in the Lord.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
(Psalm 139:16 NKJV)
Essentially, before our forms were, God saw each and everyone of us. Yup, before you were framed in your mother’s womb, God not only saw you but the days that you would exist were written before even one of the days began. Take a moment to ponder on this truth. No one is randomly exisiting regardless of how they are living out the life they have been given. This emphasizes the intentionality and importance of every life, particularly yours.
Interestingly comparisons begin early on in our lives, in the very families we are born or raised in. Those seemingly subtle comments we heard as grew up from those closest to us asking us why we could not just be like someone especially when we messed up, school teachers asking us to be like another student in the class that did everything better than we did.. think back of those scenarious in your journey that made your doubt yourself so much in comparison to others. Unchecked comparison becomes part and parcel of our existance.
Come into adulthood and comparison comes to a whole new level especially with technology advancement, the social media demographic; instagram, snap chat and facebook. Comparison thrives in these spheres causing us to make decisions to become like whom we admire or what to be like. With medical advancements allowing for any changes to be made, the options are endless. Our thoughts of self and life become determined by what we are comparing ourselves to.
Without an understanding of your identity in the Lord, comparison will prevent you from not only being who you are but also prevent you from enjoying being you.
Comparison when not checked becomes self rejection and a dangerous loathing of self.
The truth and reality of our uniqueness is that it is exactly what we need to be who God created us to be. Your ‘different’ within the realms of God’s word is what God knew would make this world a better place with you in it as He formed you. Your very existance is a gift and a blessing worth every praise to God. If you doubt this, if you have never heard it said to you, please hear the voice of God through this blog post: you are fearfully and wonderfully made. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.
(Psalm 139:14)
Stop loathing your self. Stop hating yourself. Stop rejecting yourself.
Comparison will rob you of the ability to accomplish your purpose here on the earth.
Comparison is a tool that the enemy uses to distract and keep you from being who you need to be to actually accomplish His purpose for your life. Comparison is so dangerous because it will hinder you from living out your God given purpose.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
Your authenticity and uniqueness is connected to the purpose He had in mind as He created you. We are all learning a race, we each have a lane and as we remain in our lane, the race becomes easier.
Choose to accept who you are in the Lord. Celebrate God’s handiwork of your life. Say NO to comparison and begin a journey to accomplish your purpose uniquely and authentically.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I Give you praise for creating us fearfully and wonderfully. Marvellous are your works oh Lord. Help us to accept and acknowledge our uniqueness in you and recognise how connected it is to the purpose you have for us. Help us Lord to live comparison free lives.