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By Comparison

Our lesson this week in Kids Church was about comparing ourself to others. This is a terrible trap that I have fallen into many times in my life, so I recognize this pitfall when it shows up. It is so easy to look at what others have or what they have accomplished and judge myself as unworthy by comparison. The enemy wants me to believe the lie that I must measure up to other people’s standards.

But the people refused to listen to Samuel’s warning. “Even so, we still want a king,” they said. “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Although the Israelites had the God of the universe as their King, they desired to be like other nations. It didn’t matter that God had delivered them many times through the generations. In comparing their practice with pagan nations, they began a free fall into the human kingdom that would bring much suffering, ending with the exile into Babylon.

As I have grown older, I recognize the comparison game in myself more easily now. I don’t always avoid stumbling when thoughts of unworthiness seep in, but it has become markedly easier to accept myself as exactly what God intended as I get older. 

It grieves my Father’s heart when I am upset about who or what I am in comparison to someone else. He has a specific purpose for me that I am designed to fulfill. If I spend my days wishing I were someone else, I am wasting my time trying to be something other than what He has in mind. The truth is, when I am in His will and His plan, I find so much greater joy. It’s easy to be joyful when I accept myself as God’s creation and unique daughter. I can smile when someone else does something well because they are being who God created them to be. I can lay down in peace when I remember that the God of the universe calls me His masterpiece. As long as I am chasing after Him, I am worthy, and I feel it in my heart. 

The only person we should ever compare ourselves to is Jesus. It’s a standard we can never achieve but one we should work toward every day. Who are you comparing yourself to? Is it really worth it? Don’t you want to be content in what God has given you? It’s possible, friend. God can help you accept yourself as He has received you. He wants to make you into the best version of yourself that you can be. Only He knows exactly how to do that. Today, I encourage you to remind yourself of who you are in Christ Jesus and press into God’s plan for your life.

© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries.  All rights reserved

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