This topic has been on my mind. I tossed it around, do I really put these thoughts out there? The Sunday School  lesson really hammered it home some more. So I decided to share. I hope you don’t read this post, and think of what an awful person I am. Just read it with the awareness that we are all sinners, we all need God’s grace and forgiveness, and that satan will always be working at tripping us up.

I’m talking about that word comparison. It’s some thing I know we all do at one time or another. I think we as women are especially bad. Maybe some of us more than others. Why do we compare ourselves with others? Are we trying to make ourselves feel better? Or are we belittling how God made us, in His image?

I will not lie, I need to work on this daily. We can all walk around looking like good Christian women, but what is going on in our thoughts? For myself, I compare both ways. I compare myself against those that look like they have it all, and then those that just don’t seem to have it together.

Some things I thought of that I think about.

” I wish I was creative like her.”

“She gets so many things, and her home is perfect.”

“I wish I was thin like her, without all this extra padding.” Or, “She could stand to lose a few pounds. I don’t feel so bad about myself when I see her.”

“She has it all together all the time. Her hair is never messy, her children are always well dressed with hair combed neatly, and I’m sure her house isn’t messy either.” Or, “She looks a bit sloppy. I guess she just doesn’t worry about messy hair, rumpled clothes, and a clean house.”

“She thinks she is tired. What would she do if she was up how many times a night with the baby, and then have to milk cows in the morning. She’d find out what tired is!” Or, “She helps in the barn, drives tractor, feeds 8 children, has a lovely garden,neat flower beds, cans everything, and still finds time to help others. Why can’t I be more like that? She is such a hard worker.”

“I wish I was nice, quiet, and meek like her. She probably never argues with her husband. She is such a good wife.” Or, “She sure orders her husband around. I definitely treat my husband a lot better than she does.”

“I’m pretty sure she never raises her voice to her children. Why can’t I just control my temper??” Or, “She sure loses control with those little ones. Those children could use some more discipline.”

And the list could go on. And if you thought I was nice, you probably no longer do 🙂 Please remember, it is when I think these things, that I am doing what satan wants each of us to do. Compare ourselves, be discouraged, discontent, etc.

Whether we are comparing to make ourselves feel better, or comparing because we feel small and inadequate, it is wrong. It will rob us of the joy we should have in Christ.

If this is something you don’t struggle with, I applaud you! Many times over, I applaud you! I’m pretty sure it’s something I will always battle with, but it’s also an area I want to really try to do better at.

One thing that I need to remind myself is that God made us, each of us, unique in our own way. And He doesn’t make mistakes. Ever.

Another thing is that He calls us to rejoice with those that are rejoicing, and weep with them that weep. So I need to be happy for someone, when it looks like their life is perfect. I need to help and encourage someone that is struggling, in whatever way that may be. And I think if we truly have the love of Christ in us, it will be easy to do. If my heart is in the right place, I will want to do those things.

James 3:10 says, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” NIV

I hope and pray that each one of you can conquer this sin when it comes up. And that we can all love each other with a Christlike love.

And I hope you come back to read this little blog again after this post. Probably you all are much kinder, nicer women than I 🙂 And I just compared myself again. Looks like my work is cut out for me!! 🙂