Comparison is the thief of joy. We’ve all heard it. We’ve talked about it here before. It’s truth! However, while it is true, sometimes guarding against comparison is easier said than done. Do you ever ask, “how do I practically guard my heart and mind against comparison?” If so, I pray this small tip will bless you!

The Bible warns against comparing ourselves to one another and says that doing so is unwise. I’d like to share one small way He’s shown me how to practically apply this to my life.

I love working out at the gym. Gym workouts truly are a time of restoration physically and spiritually for me. I enjoy the social aspect at times, and other times love putting in my earbuds and worshiping in quiet solitude on the treadmill. Although I truly enjoy it, I realized one day how vulnerable I am to comparing myself to others at the gym in particular. I began to pay attention and notice how often I would be moving right along in joy and peace and out of nowhere suddenly feel deflated, envious, or a bit joyless after “admiring” someone else’s body. The Lord quickly showed me that what I called admiring was actually comparing. I wasn’t simply seeing the good in their bodies; I was deeming my own body as “bad” in comparison. It wasn’t healthy, nor was it holy.

I took this before the Lord for help. In response, He gave me what I now call “gym vision”. I’ve adopted the habit of praying and asking Him to give me 20/20 “gym vision” before I enter the gym every time I go. It’s been a huge blessing!

So what is gym vision? I asked Him to give me the ability to experience complete and total tunnel vision with my physical eyes when I’m in the gym. I prayed that I would literally not be able to notice the bodies around me, or even look down at my own body (my legs are always a source of comparison), but rather I would only see with my spirit. I would only be able to see Him.

I also prayed that I would have incredible peripheral vision spiritually. I sincerely asked that He would literally keep me from seeing a person physically and only allow me to see them spiritually. Lord, I asked, will you draw my glance to people who need prayer and cause me to instantly pray for them. Or, draw me to those who need to be ministered to by you today?

When I asked God to give me gym vision, the experience of being there took on a whole new meaning. Now, not only is it a time of refreshing for me physically, it’s also a time of refreshing spiritually as I dedicate that time to glorifying the Lord, seeking Him, and interceding for those around me rather than comparing myself to them. It’s so rewarding to enjoy the gift of noticing spirits more than bodies! If the gym is a place where you struggle with comparison, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to try this! Ask the Lord today to give you gym vision! You will not believe the blessing of being freed from the heavy yoke of comparison as you walk in freedom, joy and peace, all while caring for your body!