The Comparison Game

We all do it! We may fight tooth and nail to deny it; BUT we do it!

Compare! 

We pull out the playing board, set it up, roll the dice and we join in the game! Sometimes we strike out early and realize that we're giving way too much power to our "comparative" thoughts. Other times we're the last man standing and we take home the winning prize. We crumble due to the lack of what we are NOT; based on our shallow COMPARISON of ourselves to others.

WHY?


Society woos us into being something we're not. Everywhere we turn this dare to compare is slapping us in the face; even with our disinterest in what the world has to offer, our heart gives way to our flesh and we COMPARE...

She's prettier than I
Her children are more talented
Their congregation had more salvation's
They opened ANOTHER campus
I could sing that better
She's NOT really a great speaker
Her husband gave her another piece of jewelry... mine must not love me as much
She really looks great in that swimsuit... she's too old to dress that way
That car is nice
Her house is bigger- prettier - decorated better
Wow, she has great skin
Another tropical vacation
At least I've only divorced ONCE
She gets all the attention
Why don' they invite me... I'm more FUN
She writes better
And the list goes on and on and on...

It's a dangerous game we play; this "comparison game." It places the knife in the hand that stabs our souls and prepares the table of bondage to linger beyond it's welcome!

Can I let you in on a little secret?

Can I allow your lungs to take a deep breath?

We will NEVER be good enough, smart enough, tall enough, pretty enough, thin enough, talented enough, strong enough, sweet enough, funny enough for anyone! We were not created to fit the mold of this enticing world. We were not designed to fulfill the desires of other self-indulgent people.

WE WERE CREATED FOR CHRIST; TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE!

If we allow ourselves to give power to anyone or anything else but what God created us for; we WILL buy into it and we WILL play the game! There is no escaping it. We WILL COMPARE.


How do we escape the trap of this game? How do we NOT compare?

1. Identify your weak areas: we must know where we're weak so we can become strong!

2. Speak His truth into your weak areas: the best defense, against the weakness to compare, is to speak truth into the LIE!

3. Press into and grab hold of who He created YOU to be: when you find your identity in Christ you look beyond your imperfections and into His character built within you!

When we compare, we conform. And girlfriend, we are too PRICELESS to our maker to dance with that devil! Don't conform to the patterns of this world; be transformed into His likeness!


"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children... a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

(Ephesians 5:1, ESV)