The Comparison Game
Café Menufor Friday, June 26, 2015
Today’s Special is: Forced to Let Them Think What They May
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Karen Trigg
Main Ingredient:
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10 NIV
Entrée:
Can the word compare be lethal? Does it just make you cringe?
Compare means: to examine in order to note similarities and differences.
I lived most of my life playing the comparison game.
Only it’s really not a game – is it?
It infected every relationship. Unable to be at ease in any friendship or interaction with others, I constantly fell short. In my late teens and early twenties when I met other young women, I was constantly on guard when my boyfriend was near. If she was beautiful, funny and energetic my insecurity became unbearable. After I married, the roots of comparison grew deeper.
I was in bondage to measuring myself against another. I didn’t ask what others were thinking, I assumed.
What if I say...?
What if I do...?
She would never do that!
If I could only…, maybe she will accept me.
Oh no! I just said...!
She will never forgive me!
She would never handle it the way I did.
Then it happened! I was forced to let others think what they may. I was forced to stop my striving to make certain they understood me. I had to stop trusting myself and my own thoughts.
Initially I thought I might die. In all truth, I did. I died to self.
I was lovingly forced to let Him advocate. He knew I was imprisoned to the responses, reactions, and opinions of others.
As I began trusting God and the leading of His Spirit, He directed my thoughts to leave the opinions of others in His hands. What I found in the dying to self, was His “peace that passes all understanding.” It was the beginning of healthy relationships for me as I trusted Him.
Am I living for the approval of man or of God? It is impossible to live for both.
As I scratched the surface of understanding who I am in the eyes of God Himself, I saw the benefits of choosing God’s approval. He knew me before He formed me. He knew me, every part of me… the good, the bad and the ugly. I could trust Him.
When is it ok to compare?
· To note similarities and differences
· When we are lining ourselves up alongside the Word of God
· To understand who we are in Christ
This is where we find trust that runs deep enough to give life to the very roots once infected by the poison of the need for approval of others.
Take Out:
When we are tempted to measure up to what we think others expect of us, we can instead take a deep breath and remember the only one we need to please is God.
Dessert:
Father God, Your Word tells us if we trust in You rather than ourselves, if we submit to You, You will make our paths straight. Thank You that You are trustworthy. Continue to draw us to Yourself as You teach us to rest in You.
© 2013 by Karen Trigg. All rights reserved.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Pull up a chair… He’s been waiting for you.
Need a refill? Please join us at the Encouragement Café with Luann and Friends.
The conversation at the Café is always hot and fresh. We invite you to listen in as Luann and Friends gather around the table to discuss everyday life.
Comfort food for your soul is always on our menu, and friends are always close enough to hug. We invite you to join us daily, as our writer’s share how the Lord continues to transform them into His glorious image.
Still craving more… Join us as we grow together in grace and truth through our online bible study.
Stop by Encouragement Café and listen as the girls share life. Find podcasts, videos, Bible studies, prayer, resources and daily helpings of hope, laughter and friendship around our table. We've saved a seat just for you!
Originally published Friday, 26 June 2015.
SHARE
