Comparison. It’s a measuring stick that never ends and one that causes us to come up short every time. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” And can I just say that comparison has robbed me of the joy of being who God created me to be more times than I can count?
When my kids were little, I was surrounded by a group of beautifully talented and thoughtful women. They could throw a baby shower, a dinner party, or host a last minute gathering with ease and sophistication. I so wanted to be like them and I gave it my best effort, but every time I tried to follow in their footsteps, I ended up completely stressed out. God did not hardwire me with the genes of Joanna Gaines (although I’m deeply grateful for her and her gifts). As a result, I had no joy in throwing a party because I was trying to be someone I was not.
The good news is that the gospel frees us from comparison because our acceptance in Christ is based on grace, not our performance. God created us in His image and redeemed us for good works that He specifically carved out in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
So how do we free ourselves from the comparison trap?
- Recognize that God’s love for you is not based on your performance, but on Christ’s redeeming work of grace in you.
- Pray that God would give you the confidence to be who He has created and gifted you to be.
- Ask God to give you opportunities to use your unique gifts for His glory and the good of others.
- Delight in the gifts God has given others rather than being jealous or feeling insecure.
Joyce Meyer sums up the stress of comparison: “Anytime we try to do something that God has not given us the ability to do, we are inviting stress into our lives.”
What things do you need to let go of that are not yours to do? How would letting those things go free you up to use your unique gifts?
When I let go of being the ideal hostess, I realized that I was gifted in so many other areas, but it took me letting go of who I was not to become my true self in Christ.
We will only truly be free when we find our freedom in Christ and stop comparing ourselves to others (John 8:36).
