What do we do when we fall into the comparison trap? When our beauty compares, we fall down a rabbit hole God never intended us to enter.
What do we do when we fall into the comparison trap? When our beauty compares, we fall down a rabbit hole God never intended us to enter. #comparisons #Christianbeauty #spiritualgrowth
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As Christians, our beauty is an inner Spiritual beauty first—inward adornment rather than outward adornment.
We can either fall into the trap of worldly beauty or go with a God perspective.
Comparison is one of the problems that can occur when we live in a world
perspective instead of through God’s lens.
We easily fall into a snare when we measure ourselves to another woman, especially if she is younger, does better work than we do, or gets what we want. If we do not immediately change course and replace these thoughts with godly truth, the bitter roots of jealousy and discontent grow.
This dangerous path leads to doubting God’s plan. We are saying God didn’t get it right. Telling God what was meant for another was meant for us, and he got it all wrong.
But what is lovely is what happens when we step out of God’s way and what he will do.
But what is lovely is what happens when we step out of God’s way and what he will do. #trustgod #spiritualgrowth #comparison
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I have to be on guard to catch myself when comparing before it becomes jealousy and coveting full of pride and arrogance. I knew this well when I was passed over for a job promotion. The inner dialogue of venomous poison began, “You know she got promoted over you because she’s younger.”
This is where I need to speak God’s truth that God gives us each our blessings. Hers is not mine, and mine is not hers. And because it is God’s blessing for her, I need to celebrate it for her, be happy for her, and support her.
I found the following steps to help when comparisons rob my peace.
- Confess with God, admitting our struggle with comparison. Let him know our heart.
- Pray, asking God to remove the venom of comparison and roots of jealousy and coveting quickly. To give strength so we don’t fall into the pitfall.
- Repent receiving God’s forgiveness and strength. Feel the blood of Jesus wash over us, cleansing and freeing us.
- Praise God for his goodness and love to protect and deliver. Praise Him knowing he is going ahead and behind the scenes working everything out for our good because we love him (Romans 8:28).
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14 NKJV
- Celebrate the blessings of others quickly. Send a text, congratulate, smile, and jump with joy as God’s gifts pour over another.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 NKJV
God made each of us exceptional. And God has given us our unique purpose, so her purpose is not mine, and her blessing is not mine. And her getting something does not make me less, does not subtract.
God does not have an abundance problem because he has no scarcity. Lack is not the economy of God. The economy of God has enough abundance for everyone.
God does not have an abundance problem because he has no scarcity. Lack is not the economy of God. The economy of God has enough abundance for everyone. #comparison #blessings #abudance
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It is normal to think those thoughts because we live in a society and a culture where the economy is based on scarcity which leads to hoarding, selfishness, and greed. But when you live in God’s economy, you realize there is enough for all of us, and he has an individual plan for you.
Then we can celebrate the blessings of other people and lift each other. That is when we start creating a beautiful harmonious world.
Contentment is a choice. We can overcome our desire to compare ourselves to others by simply enjoying and embracing where God has placed us at this very moment. We trust in God’s ways even when we don’t know what he is doing.
As we rid ourselves of comparisons, we cultivate our inner spiritual beauty, living for eternal beauty. We grow our godly beauty shining our light before men and glorifying our Father in heaven. Let our glow shine showing the beauty of God in our lives.
Prayer for Contentment
Dear Father, I confess I did compare because I wanted what someone else received. And I am so sorry that I wavered in my trust for your plan for my life. That I stumbled into jealousy and coveting. I know you have placed me right where I need to be. My beauty is an inner spiritual beauty full of your radiating light. Help me to see through your God lens and not the world’s perspective of beauty, lack, want, and desire. You are a good God who saves me from the bite of comparison where I harm myself and another.
You know I would love to have this too, but God, it is your will. Please forgive me for having any jealousy or resentment. Please help me to remove roots of envy and coveting quickly and to celebrate the blessings of others. In Jesus’s name Amen
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Thank you for the practical steps to overcome comparison that you shared here. I also love the reminder that God’s economy is not scarcity but abundance and we can trust in Him to bless us!
Sharon, so blessed to have you read and I happy that you found encouragement here. I remember learning about the world’s economy in college and thought no wonder the world is a mess if our economy is based on scarcity instead of abundance. I praise and delight in God for all his abundant blessings.
Comparison is a terible rabbit hole to fall into and one the enemy likes us to get trapped in. I have to fight off the tendency to compare, too, because the script that begins playing in my head takes me so far off course from God’s protective and shielding truth of who I really am and my purpose in this world. I love your writing, Deborah! Blessings sweet sister … ??
Donna, so agreed. I like this visual that I see in your comment – we are on God’s path with his protection and shielding of truth but when we are tempted by comparison we waver off His path and leave ourselves in harms way. Thank you for your kind words. I love your writing too – they bless me so.
It is so easy to fall into comparison, but important to guard against it. It makes me think of Leah and Rachel in the Bible. Each of them wanted what the other had. Leah wanted Jacob’s love and Rachel wanted children. It makes a big difference when we choose contentment.
Lesley, we can learn a lot from looking at Leah and Rachel. If only they could have chosen contentment. But we can learn through them and see how it affected them.
Deborah, such a wonderful, life-giving perspective on beauty here. I can fall into the comparison trap and feel like I never measure up. But I finally realized when I do that, as you mention, I am doubting God, saying in essence He got it wrong. I never realized how sinful this attitude was, until God brought conviction. Thank you for helping us stay focused on who we are in Christ!
Donna, I agree it is easy to fall into this. What helps is knowing how sinful this attitude. I know the Holy Spirit is kind to show me when my thoughts begin to linger that way. Thank you for reading and blessing me.
I recently read something to the effect that when someone else succeeds, it doesn’t mean you failed. We’re all on a different journey and our successes happen at different times and rates.
Anita, this is true. Also along these lines we have to be careful not to live someone else’s life (their path, journey). I was praying this morning that I am submitting to God’s path and direction. Not that what others are doing are not wonderful but it isn’t about what they are doing or what I want to do it is about what does God want me to do. And resting there.
Debbie, I appreciate these sound steps when we find ourselves in a comparison trap. It’s so easy to fall into. I find that as I age and mature in my relationship with God I’m more easily able to stop and redirect my thoughts and prayers to him.
Thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.
Paula, I love your perspective as for some age can make comparisons come quickly. But maturing in our relationship with God is key.