“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” -Galatians 6:4

Have you ever looked at another woman and started to think about how you admire her home, wardrobe, body, business, family, etc...And before you know it, those feelings of admiration start to turn into feelings of jealousy?!? Within moments, you find your mind start to race, thinking about all the things you wish you could change, and how always feel like you will never quite measure up!

Friends, if this sounds familiar, than I can promise you are not alone. In fact, I am sure that comparison is a hot point for most, if not all women in some way.

Among women I have noticed that there are typically two things that seem to tug at our thoughts, affections, and our time more than anything else. One of them being comparison, and the other being the pursuit of perfection. In many ways they seem to go hand in hand, and they both have one common theme, which is that they always leave us feeling inadequate.

When I think of comparison, I often imagine something dangling in front of us that we will never be able to obtain. The faster we run after it, the faster it moves just a few steps ahead of us, always remaining just out of reach. Instead of being productive, this never ending "chase" ends up draining our time and energy that we could be using to run our race for God!

One thing that I like to do when I am speaking to women on this subject is get them to imagine a scenario that demonstrates just how unique God made each one of us. I ask them to take a moment and think about ten women they know. Next, I ask them to imagine those ten women standing in a line side by side, and to think about what they look like. I tell them to not only imagine the general appearance of these women, but to picture the details... Imagining their hair, facial features, height, skin color, and curves, and how different each one of them looks. Next, I explain what a beautiful depiction this is of how God uniquely crafted each one of us, down to every last detail.

I think God delights in the details, and that He created each one of us with unique physical features, simply because He is the creator of all things good! Being married to a graphic designer who has an eye for design, I know how much pride and joy goes into a custom piece of art that he created. Now think of how much time, thought, and detail God put into making each one of us, and how it pleases Him to enjoy the beauty of His custom work!

How is this relevant to letting go of comparison you may ask!?! I believe that the first step to overcoming comparison is to realize how different God created each one of us. When we start to see ourselves as a masterpiece individually created by the hand of God, we will begin to see comparison as the distraction that it truly is. When we make this change, we will be able to invest our time and energy into the purpose that God has uniquely for us.

If this devotional has stirred something in your heart today, and you want to let go of comparison once and for all, today is your day! The best part is, you don't have to try do it alone! When we invite the Holy Spirit to show us when we are are comparing ourselves to others, He will be faithful to show us. We can then make the choice to shift our focus from 'not good enough' to an attitude of thankfulness.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for striving to be something that you never intended me to be, and for comparing myself with others. Reveal to me the strengths you have placed inside of me, and help me to focus on the unique plan that you have for created just for me. Today I choose to focus on the blessings that you have placed in my life instead of the things that seem to be shortcomings. Please help me to be content in being who you created me to be, nothing more, nothing less!