Dashing Dish
From the Blog
Dashing Devotional~ Overcoming Comparison.
16I would be lying if I said I wasn’t ever tempted to compare myself with others. In fact, I truly believe that this is something we are all must deal with at one point or another. I used to think it was only natural to have thoughts such as, “I wish I had her hair, clothes, body, etc.” However, I have found through the Word of God that there are many verses that warn us not to entertain such thoughts.
The reason being is that God created each one of us for a unique purpose, and to fulfill something that only we could. He also created each one of us to look, act, and be unique! Think about it, He gave each one of us a different type of style, hair texture, skin color, and even body type…(take a moment to look around at all of the hundreds of types of bodies He created, it truly is amazing!) When you step back and realize this, you come to realize there is no point in comparing, because we are all so unique! He created each one of us to be different that way so that each one of our strengths, gifts, and abilities would come together to form a strong and healthy ‘body’, (1 Corinthians 12:12).
During the time that I felt God really ‘pruning’ me in this area, He led me to this verse…
“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” ~Galatians 6:4
I realized that if I was ever going to get my eyes off of other people, then I would have to keep my eyes on what God has given me, and using it to the best of my ability. Each time I find myself starting to compare myself to others, I simply make the choice to stop those thoughts in their tracks and think about this verse. I re-direct my thinking to the truth, which says I was designed for a unique purpose and that no one else can fulfill my destiny but me! I make a choice to focus on the strengths God has given me, do the best that I can with what He placed in my hands, and I thank Him for who He created me to be! When we do this, we give glory to God, and get the satisfaction of a job well done! Now that sounds way better than walking around feeling jealous, insecure, or insignificant any day!
Below is a video I posted on the Dashing Dish Facebook Page a while back, and I felt the Lord prompting me to share it here as well in case you missed it. It’s an awesome sermon that goes a bit deeper on this subject, so I encourage you to check it out! I know it sure blessed me, and I pray you will be blessed by it as well!
Overcoming Comparison from MarriageToday on Vimeo.
16 Comments
Jessica said:
Thank You! I needed this! I truly believe that the lord works in many mysterious ways. Your post is a prime example.
Life's a Bowl said:
I agree and think that sometimes it’s hard not to want to compare ourselves to others… And it can be funny to think about, you may be comparing yourself to the girl over there and she is doing the same thing to you. The best advice I’ve received regarding this was: be yourself, cause you don’t know who else wants to be you!
Laney Horton said:
OH, this was so great! Just what I needed to hear today! The enemy has really wanted to attack me this way this week. Not on my watch he won’t! Thank you for sharing this!
Emilie said:
Thanks so much for this post! So encouraging! I also wrote a blog post about it recently and came to the conclusion that, if I’m going to compare myself to anyone it has to be Jesus which then puts us all on the same page. None of us can measure up! It’s freeing really. Well, here’s the link to my post if you wanted to check it out. Thanks again for your faithfulness to speak truth!
http://eahendryx.blogspot.com/2012/03/comparison-perfection.html
Courtney said:
God’s methods for teaching me never cease to amaze me. The timing of this devo was perfect. My friend got a promotion today and I can honestly say that this message prepared me to accept the news differently. I’ve been working hard and wanting a promotion for a while and have experienced feelings of jealousy whenever my friend talked about her professional advancements, but today I was genuinely happy for her. This really helped me sideline those jealous feelings I would have had. Thank you for sharing this today.
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance said:
A topic that has been on my heart lately as well! It’s hard to live in such a judgmental world and not be judgmental ourselves, but this verse is a perfect reminder that comparing ourselves with others will lead to nothing. Thank you for sharing!
Jana said:
One day, I was at lunch with several women from work. I said to one woman who had a hairstyle I could never pull off, “I love your hair. I wish mine would do that.” Someone else immediately piped up and said to me, “I was just thinking the same thing about you!” We all laughed, but it’s too often the case. And you’re right: when we’re comparing, we’re looking at others, not Jesus. “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith!”
Natalie said:
Thank you so much for sharing this! I truly enjoy reading your blog, as I share in you personal story. For so long I thought I was alone in this struggle…then I found an amazing group of Godly young women who were so authentic and open about our struggles, and God began to really work on my heart to give this area of my life back to Him (I can’t tell you how many times I had ‘taken it back’ from Him…). This comparison issue is one of the toughest things, but praise Him that He wants to stomp all over that comparison and show each of us just how much He is enthralled by the beautiful creation and plan He designed us each uniquely for…
Nicole said:
That is something I struggle with constantly! Thanks for posting!!!!
Katie said:
Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for sharing this thought. It’s definitely something we all struggle with and all need to be reminded of where our focus should be. As soon as you reminded us of that verse, I copied it on a yellow post-it note, taping it to my office computer. Thank you.
Ashlie said:
so true, Katie!! This is something the Lord has been working in my heart for several months now. The comparison game is deadly…it leaves me feeling drained and steals my joy. In real life, and online with blogging, too. :) I’m so thankful for His word that shines light on those areas of our hearts that need pruning! Thank you for this.
LOVE your site by the way!! Loving Jesus and good food, what more can you ask for?! :)
Becky said:
Wow, thank you. I randomly happened upon your blog this morning looking for all things protein powder recommendations for my morning smoothies. I should know that all things happen for a reason. I needed to see this post of yours as I’ve been doing a lot of measuring myself to others and feeling I’m coming up short lately. You’ve struck a chord for me and put things into perspective when I’ve really needed it. Thank you.
Melissa said:
I needed to read this today. As always, the Lord has a way of leading my feet exactly where they need to go. I’ve never quite thought of weight loss this way – or anything related to what I can do. God has given me what He’s given me for a reason – I need to stop focusing on others and focus more on Him. Thank you!
Aggie said:
I’ve been struggling with this a lot lately. Am working through it. Thank you for your words!!!
Celeste said:
I am grateful for this message. I used to think that I was pretty good at controlling my jealousy of people’s lives until I buried my 16 week baby girl on the same day my sister’s baby girl was born. The intensity of jealousy and comparison increased to an extreme I couldn’t handle by myself. So I’ve been trying to turn it over to God, since He has infinitely broader shoulders than I do to bear it. It’s been a process, but it is getting better and I truly that He is helping me every moment of every day.
Dashing Dish said:
i’m so sorry to hear this celeste… the amazing thing is we have such an amazing Father who is also an amazing HEALER and RESTORER! I’m praying for you! xo