I started when I was a young teen — bound in my early years by the plague upon women. The plague upon humans. Bound by the chains of comparison.
Comparison
I think by now we’ve all read the posts that tell us not to compare our messy lives against the snapshots of other’s lives that we see in social media. Because real life doesn’t come with a filter. It’s raw and loud and covered in crumbs. And dog hair. And tears.
But it’s tempting. I know it’s tempting to compare. Because we see our inconsistencies and the disorganization of our lives — the upstairs hall closet slam full of stuff and marriages slam full of pain. We live it.
While the pictures online are so pretty. And people are so pretty in the pictures. And in snapshots we all seem to smile all the time. So we compare — our reality next to our imagination of their reality.
But freedom from this whole comparison plague fires me up a bit. I’ve even been speaking on it lately when I lead conferences. Because God has more for us as His children. God has the beauty of soul-freedom — dancing out the life He’s given us, mess and all.
The truth is that everyone’s lives are messy. Every last one of us. I promise. Because we all live on planet earth. It’s the nature of humanity. And when we waste our time trying to live up to everyone else’s seeming perfection, we miss the point of living.
Here’s what I earnestly pray we grasp. In Christ, you and I have been gifted and crafted and designed by God with purpose. He has placed upon you and me, individually and specifically, gifts and talents and callings that are meant to benefit the whole.
Did you catch that? Let me say it again.
You and I have been individually gifted and called to benefit the whole. To bring Him glory.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1 Corinthians 12:7
If we could just grasp that life isn’t a competition. I need you and you need me. We need each other. I need to partake of the gifts that God has placed within you, and encourage you in the callings to which He’s empowering you to walk. Just as you need to partake of the gifts that God has placed within me and encourage the call He has placed upon my life.
Partake. Not compare.
It’s freedom when we cheer each other on. It’s freedom when we stop trying to live someone else’s life and start living the one He’s given us — with all of its pretty pictures and all of its messy blessings stirring around together.
He hasn’t forgotten you; He embroidered you. He sent His son to die for you. He smiles over you. You. And if you don’t live out of the gifts and call He has placed within and upon you, then…well…we’ll all miss out.
Fill me, Lord…
How have you struggled against the comparison plague?
What do you do to guard your heart against comparison?
We had a loooong discussion last night about my life-long struggle with this. Your gift of putting words on paper has blessed me more times than I can count. I’ll add this post to that list. Glory to God for speaking truth into my messy life through you.
Thank you for that kind encouragement, Stacy. Blessings to you, sister.
I am soooo partaking in your incredible spiritual gift of writing and ministering today! Thank you for letting him work through you and using your gifts!! Oh how I thank God for you!!
Thank you. You are too kind. Praising Him for His grace in spite of my own messiness.
Andy Stanley started a new sermon series last week on “The Comparison Trap” . The TV program is called “Your Move” airing on Sunday mornings.
Oh Donna, that sounds amazing! I will have to look it up. Thanks for sharing.
I found myself nodding in agreement as I read this Lara. Comparison is a hard thing to battle. I recently did a 2 week fast from all social media & blogging after being prompted by the Lord. It was tough for the first few days, but then everything became clear. I was able to hear Him more clearly & discover my purpose & calling without being bombarded by everyone else on social media. I think I might schedule in frequent breaks from social media, just to be able to clear my mind of all the clutter and all the comparison.
I totally agree. I’ve really scaled back at how much I allow myself onto social media. I love how you put it, “clutter”. It can so quickly clutter our hearts and minds. Thanks for testifying to His faithful speaking to you, Sarah.