Comparison breeds discontent. I don’t know if that is a famous quote or just something I’ve heard, either way it is truth.
I struggle to make sure I don’t compare myself to other speakers, authors, moms, wives, christians because I will always come up short. Recently, I was lamenting (which is a big, fancy word for whining, but doesn’t it sound better?) over not being asked to be a part of a certain group. I looked at who was chosen and felt even more hurt. Not only had I NOT been invited but they invited her. Lord, I thought YOU called me to this walk? Wouldn’t this be the PERFECT place for me and this message YOU gave me? Her message is just not as good a fit as mine, don’t you think Lord?
And for some reason the Lord just didn’t agree with me.
Then it hit me (or really the Holy Spirit gave it to me) — her success does NOT mean my failure. I can get so caught up in the statistics that tell me success is only indicated by size of groups you speak to and number of books sold. I see the limited number of speaking spots available and assume if she gets one, then I don’t get one. But it’s not true — God has room for every single one of us. We are all unique and if God has called us to it then He will equip us to serve those He has called us to.
I can’t compare myself to any one else – we are all unique. We all serve the same God and the messages may sound similar, but we are all very different. And God has equipped each of us to serve in different ways.
We can all struggle with comparison — I wrangled with this LONG before I was ever a speaker.
Do you struggle with comparison? How do you deal with it?
Yes, I do. Yes it is ugly. Yes,I hate it. Prayer…lots of prayer. And remembering that my call is unique and it is mine alone. That means God will give me the things He knows are perfect for me and not one thing more or less. That’s all I know to tell you.
Oh My! What a word! Yes, I do struggle with this…I have to remind myself that God made me, well, ME! He knew who I was before I was born and He has plans for my life….It helps me to deal with not comparing myself…
Amen girl! You are you! and I’m me. We are who God created us to be! Nothing more and not one thing less.
Yes! It is hard not to struggle. I sometimes get caught up in it. Just last night I was seeing that someone had “made it” in this industry and was doing what I would love to be doing. I don’t even know the girl, but I was comparing myself – why haven’t I been asked to do something like this…what a cool job that would be…maybe I am not good enough.
Ugh! It gets old and tiring after a while. I then realized what I was doing and moved on! Can’t spend too much time dwelling on those things!
Hey – love the apples – that picture is very cool!! How did you get it to have no border?? I know – such a silly question.
Love ya!
Moving on! That is a word right there! Just move on. And as for the picture… it’s an istockphoto — pretty, huh?
Me struggle with comparisons? NO! No way! (as I sit here with my nose growing a foot long) I wish I could say that “No” was my answer but I can’t. I struggle with it as I step out into the calling God has placed before me. I see all those that have established ministries but I know where I have come from. I see all the cute clothes and I know that I have very little fashion sense. How can I expect to stand in front of women? I know that I hide in the shadows (kind of ironic since I am truly afraid of the dark) frightened of what lies ahead. So how do I deal with it? Prayer…seeking God to continue to show me His plan for my life and service to Him…Staying connected to the vine.
Love the phrase — staying connected to the vine! Love it!
That is my prayer! And don’t you worry about not looking ‘right’! God called YOU! Be you! That’s who we need!
“Her success does not mean my failure.” That sentence has the power to unlock us from our self-built prisons of inadequacy if we let it. Wow.
Thanks girl! It’s a word that I need to memorize!
Hi Mary I guess I have compared my self 2 to many women I love to help hurting people I am always cheering on the underdog so I do compare myself alot to people in my church because I have wanted to do a bible study and I mention it and it just gets passed over like we have a womens ministry at church and there is always something else more inmportant than my thought so yes my feelings get hurt and I get upset. So now I don’t even say anything about what a good idea that would be because it like it doesn’t count anyway and it gets old after awhile when you keep trying to compare and I am getting to old to play that game. But there are times I just feel not good enough for that person or I will never dress as well as her or look as good as her. I know in the Daniel study that Beth Moore wrote about always measuring up that was an excellent study.
Thanks for posting this
Carol
Well darlin’, I’d say you nailed this one!!
BTW—I really think that red apple is prettier than the green one! It really should be on top. Don’t ya think 🙂
Love you,
p
I so needed to read this tonight, especially your words that someone else’s success doesn’t mean my failure. God gave you those words to bless people like me and to help free us from that deadly comparison game. Thank you for letting Him speak through you!