Comparison is no joke. What can harmlessly start as motivation or #goals can spiral into stress, anxiety and depression. Comparison sneaks into our lives without even realizing it.
The billboards, Instagram posts, magazine covers and movies start to chip away at who we are and aim to show us how we should look, act and live. We are constantly being fed photo-shopped images and the idea of a perfect life, and the crazy thing is that we can't do anything about it ... well, unless you become a hermit, but don't do that!
Instead of remembering who God has created us to be, we turn to others for approval, recognition and even imitation. We are crippled by all of the things we are not, forgetting all of the things we are. Plus, let's be real ... it's exhausting being something you're not. Rick Warren says it best, "Wearing a mask wears you out. Faking is fatiguing. The most exhausting activity is pretending to be what you know you aren't". It's exhausting because we are comparing ourselves to an image that we weren't created to resemble.
Okay, okay ... so what do we do?
When you begin to compare yourself to the Creator rather than the creation, a beautiful thing unfolds. You start to realize and live out the purpose God has for your life. You begin to live the life created specifically for you. God created every aspect of you, in His image - why would you want to be anyone other than you? We all have weaknesses, fall short and have things we wish we could change. Instead of comparing yourself to other broken people, you can turn to God for help in better understanding who He created you to be.
Who does God say you are?
- You are created in the Image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)
- You are loved by God (Romans 8:38-39)
- You are chosen (1 Peter 2:9)
- You are a new creation in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
- You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
- You are a child of God (1 John 3:1-3)
- You have purpose (Ephesians 2:10)
- You are forgiven (Psalm 103:12)
- You are protected (Psalm 121:3)
- You are part of His fam (Ephesians 2:19)
So, that leaves you with two options - remain trapped in the comparison game or walk in who God created you to be. Which will you choose?
by Emily LaGrone