COMPARISON
Death to the Spirit of Comparison
Have you ever found yourself comparing your life, list of accomplishments, your home, your car, your social media profile, or your children (and the list goes on) to that of others? Listen you are not alone, many of us have been there at one stage or another in this journey called life especially prior to discovering our worth in Jesus. But do you know - the very fact that your DNA makeup is distinctly different from that of the next person sets you apart as a unique human soul. In Jeremiah 1:5 – the Lord says to Jeremiah “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart as my prophet to the nations.” You may not be a prophet like Jeremiah but God has a special purpose just for you! You are just as valuable to our Heavenly Father. Our God knows every hair on your head and sees your beginning from your end. Do not allow the spirit of comparison to rob you of praising God for where you are right now at this very moment. You my friend are absolutely beautiful, fearless, more than a conqueror and destined to be a winner for God’s glory.
Comparison robs us slowly yet ever so quickly of the opportunity to enjoy the precious moments we have on earth. Meanwhile, the enemy would love nothing more than for you to stay stuck in a rut wondering what the next person has going on while you miss out on walking in God’s blessings of today. I have two beautiful daughters whom I find myself encouraging often by letting them know they are more than enough just the way they are. We live in a world where children are beginning to compare themselves to their friends and classmates at an even earlier age than I ever recall seeing. The comparison children often deal with ranges from who has the latest fashion trends, to gadgets, and sometimes even the definition of what external beauty looks like. Interesting some grown adults fall into the same trap of comparison. Listen, when I was in elementary school, I remember my mother working nights and going to school during the daytime to support our family. Many times I would dress myself and my younger brothers while our Dad got ready to take us to school. I had a favorite pair of brown pants which I loved to wear and pretty soon there was a little boy who began calling me “Brown mouse”. Thankfully my mom had taught me really early about the value of self-worth compared to earthly possessions otherwise his comments could have really hurt my self-esteem.
It is critical to our spiritual development that we all live a life of contentment. How can God use you to bring added value to the kingdom purpose assigned to you when you are too busy comparing yourself to everything you see on social media? There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1 NLT). I would like to take this a step further by saying since there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus – you also have the authority to declare death over the spirit of comparison. Rest in who you are, live for today, trusting in the Lord that you have everything you need to walk in your purpose. When you walk with a spirit of contentment, the blessings of the Lord begin to chase you down because you can take authority over earthly riches as opposed to earthly things running you ragged. Remember you my friend were fearfully and wonderfully made for such a time as this.