Overcoming Comparison

I am continuously overwhelmed by the goodness and grace of our Father God. Recently, I overcame something. And by recently I mean like last week recently. I struggled with the idea of comparison and wasn’t even aware of it. I am in a totally different season and place then I thought or imagined I would be. Instead of finding the joy and embracing the season, I was comparing myself to those around me who were where I wanted to be or God was already using in incredible ways. Needless to say, it’s been a very joyless time full of anxiety and tears. The old saying goes “I’m not sure who discovered water but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t the fish,” sometimes when we are in our own bubble we don’t realize what is actually happening in us. We get so used to our own struggles and trials that we neglect to see our circumstances as they truly are. This was my case. I didn’t realize the problem of comparison and the way in which it was springing up a root of pride or envy within my own heart.

However, God lovingly revealed to me my issue a matter of days ago when I was having coffee with two very good friends, one of whom I had not seen in awhile. This friend excitedly told us all about her new job as a youth director and how God had been teaching her a lot about running the race set before her and chasing the life God had given her. In John 21:21-23 Jesus reveals the way in which Peter will glorify God and the first thing he does is ask “what about John?” Immediately Jesus basically says, “what’s it to you? You walk in your calling.” That hit home for me. For the next several days this passage, along with others about finding joy in trials and not losing heart showed up everywhere. The final driving point for me was while reading a daily devotional (Arise by Melodi Hawley).

One particular day was all about being faithful in the little and finding joy in normalcy. Why chase the glamorous when God calls us to the normal? Why pursue the calling of another when our sweet Father simply whispers, “be faithful in the little things for now (Luke 16:10).” I came to realize I wasn’t exactly doing that. Instead I was prideful and questioning the path and season God had placed me, basically telling the Savior of the world that I needed to be doing something else or living a different life. I wasn’t choosing joy or letting my light shine. I wasn’t being faithful in the mundane and the normal, working at everything as if I were working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23 & 1Timothy 4:15).

Today I want to encourage you to do the same. Find joy in the mundane. Remember that we are called to be faithful in the seasons God has placed us. He is good, loving, and cares far more about you than you ever could. He sees you. He knows you. He is lighting your path. Be faithful and let your light shine wherever you are.

​Written by: Kristen