Jacksonville, Florida

I Want to Be Like Her

How many of you recall being compared to a sibling when you were younger? Why don’t you study as hard as …, or why aren’t you thin like … So many of us are insecure because we were constantly compared to others growing up. And it doesn’t stop when study we’re children.

“When will you marry like your sister Sue?” “When will you have children like Carol?” Our lives can be a never ending barrage of comparisons. Because of this, we think we can never measure up.

We all have a terrible habit of comparing ourselves to others. Not just that movie star, but former classmates, friends, our mothers, and especially other Christians. And if we continually compare ourselves to other Christians, we might end up feeling inferior in our walk with Jesus.

How are you supposed to compete with someone who appears to know every Bible verse off the top of their head? Then there are those Christians that can tell you the exact moment they came to Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I barely recall what I had for breakfast, much less where in the Bible the woman touched Jesus’s cloak to stop her bleeding. Does that make these believers better Christians than me? Of course not. And they are no better than you either.

Comparing yourself to another only leads to low self esteem and loss of joy. You find yourself feeling bad because you don’t know as much as Ellen, you don’t do as many volunteer hours as April, etc. You can even fuel a competitiveness to do more than this other person. In turn you make your actions less about serving God and more about your ego.

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THE REASON we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel. – Steve Furtick, Author and Pastor.

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If you have a habit of comparing yourself to others, you need to realize that Jesus meets you right where you are now. And did you know that by comparing yourself to others, you are essentially idolizing that person.

Trust me when I tell you that when you get to Heaven, God isn’t going to ask you about anyone else. Did you do with your gifts what He asked of you? And did you do it with Him in your heart? You will not get into Heaven on someone else’s faith.

Galatians 1:10 reads, Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. In most cases, when you compare yourself to another, it’s Heavenbecause the world is saying you’re not good enough. It’s definitely not Jesus’s voice you hear.

The Lord would never put you down. He’s all about building up with grace, joy, and love. And when comparing, you have a tendency to overestimate what you’re seeing. Most people are not as great as you imagine.

Remember, God doesn’t measure you against anyone else. He knows what’s in your heart, and that’s the most important thing. So be happy with who you are and where you are now, especially in your Christian walk. I have a feeling you’re in a better place than you were last year.

What or who do you compare yourself to? Did you have a parent who always pitted you against a sibling? How did it affect you? How have you worked through it? I’d love to hear your story. Please share your comments below.

And if this post has touched you in some way, feel free to share it on your social media sites.

 

2 Comments

  1. Love tis write-up! I was caught in btwn comparing myself wif someone better and accepting the way i am. Thx for sharing your thoughts♡

    1. Thanks for commenting, Joan. I notice you say you compared yourself with someone “better”. Others might appear better in our eyes, but that is usually not the case. We all have gifts that God has given us. We just need to find what ours are. And once we do, we are less likely to think others are better. I hope you have a wonderful day.

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