The Ugly Nature of Comparisons

Oh goodness, am I ever a girl that compares. I found this cute video 'The Ugly Trap of Comparison' that one of my friends was a part of and had shared on Facebook. I instantly loved it because comparison has a tendency to get the best of all of us, despite the fact we know how unhealthy and how depressing it can be.

Comparison is ugly.
Comparison is unappealing.
Comparison is a sin. 

In 2 Corinthians 10:12 we read:
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

When I look inside my life I find that every bit of my comparing comes from a sense of pride. I am trying to be something "more" than someone else whether I consciously recognize this or not. Either I will try to build myself up by comparing that I'm better off than others, but more often I compare that I am worse off and not good enough. If you were to step into my mind, these are some of the thoughts you would hear that I am not proud to admit...

"At least I don't have that weakness."
"I'm stronger than her."
"I probably would have handled that better."
"My pain is so much worse."
"Her features are so much prettier than mine."

These are just a few of my thoughts that I have caught myself saying. I often have to put these thoughts on a shelf, evaluate if they are true or not, and then take them back if they are or throw them in the trash if they aren't. 

No good ever comes out of comparing. This is one of the adversary's favorite tools he uses to get us off track. My dream is to be a people builder, one that always helps others to feel good about themselves, as if they were a queen in my presence. I know that is how Christ would treat each of us, and I want to be found doing the same. If I am constantly worried about whether or not I am good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, it becomes rather hard and nearly impossible to focus on other people and to build them up the way my heart yearns to do so. As I worry about what others are thinking of me, my mind becomes distracted, my guard goes up, and my actions display I am in a defense mode and I'm too worried about myself, to think of you. That is why self-esteem is so important, the self-esteem that comes from God because knowing we are enough in His eyes, we don't even have to spend time thinking about accepting who we are, because Christ has done it for us, and that is beautiful.

Place your trust in Christ, He said you were worth dying for, believe Him. You don't have to spend time worrying about if you are enough or finding every single way to accept and love who you are, when you love and trust Christ, it just happens. It's a spiritual gift you will find yourself humbly stumbling upon.