Comparison Illusion (And our winner from Wednesday!)
“My biggest challenge is looking at a beautifully landscaped home–and assuming all is beautiful and peaceful inside…”
“I think as women we believe everyone has it all together except ourselves. Things aren’t always as they seem!”
These are just a few of the comments from Wednesday’s post on Comparison vs. Confidence. The bad news is it seems we all struggle with comparison. The good news is…we all seem to struggle with comparison!
Even King David did. Listen as he describes the slippery slope of comparison:
” But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.” Psalm 73:2 – 5
David’s lament sound an awful like our’s, don’t they?
Another woman shared on Wednesday:
“I believe that appearance is definitely an area where women struggle with comparison – I wish I had her hair, that my eyes were that blue.”
In Psalm 73, David describes how looking at others nearly derails him. Craving the freedom of others almost costs him his own freedom.
As we read further, we might begin to think that this freedom of others might just be an illusion:
David says they have no struggles or so it seems.
The key word in this verse is “always”. Words like always, never, all the time – these words of exaggeration should be a warning to us that our thinking might be off.
The illusion continues in verse 14 only now David is not just looking at others, he is making the comparison to his own life:
“All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.” Do you see the trigger words? All day. Every morning.
It seems that David has bought into the lie of comparison down to every last morsel.
Then we see a glimpse of hope…he regains his freedom in God in verse 17.
“till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”
What hit the reset button in David’s mind and heart? What helped him to get his eyes off of others?
Entering the sanctuary…entering God’s presence. Once David regained God’s perspective in God’s presence, his vision changed.
In the presence of Jesus, truth wins:
“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73: 23 – 25 (NIV)
Can’t you just hear the peace; the rest from the whirling?
You hold me.
You guide me.
You take me.
You are my strength.
You are my portion.
Here is freedom from comparison, my friend. In the loving arms of your unconditional Love. Not only is it here for us, but it is here for us to give to our daughters as well! Today, when you are tempted to compare, like David, run to His presence. That may be a simple prayer, “Jesus, I need you!” Maybe you will turn on some worship music and soak in His love. However that looks to you, don’t delay – run into His arms!
Congratulations to iambelievinggod posted on June 1st at 3:21 p.m.! You are the winner of Marybeth Whalen’s two novels, The Mailbox and She Makes It Look Easy! Please email me your full name and address to [email protected] and I’ll get those in the mail!
Have an amazing weekend…free from comparison!
Lynn
Thank you for your words this morning. I didn't comment on the last post about comparisons, but I do find myself comparing as well. Working with my youth pastor husband in our church brings us in contact with lots of gals who are constantly comparing themselves to those around them—teenagers! Your post today gives me some great ideas and an example of David from the Bible in order to encourage them when they are down. Thank you so much and God bless!