Comparison Kills

I struggle. Probably more than I'd like to admit. I am constantly comparing myself, my life, and really  everything to other peoples lives. I have been reading a great book by Steven Furtick called Crash the Chatterbox and it has helped me with a few things. First I realize that I am very blessed (I knew this before) and I am thrilled with the life I lead, most of the time. But comparison creeps up on me. And some of the things I'm comparing are things that I don't even realize I've ever wanted or needed. I see some fun pictures on social media and instantly I'm wishing I was living that life. I notice the new car a friend got, and instantly my perfectly fine reliable car is no longer sufficient. I see the moms at the park all put together and dressed well and I instantly think they must  have money to have a trainer and to buy the most fashionable clothes....and my brain continues and honestly I DON'T even realize it at first. It creeps up on me until I realize later when I'm in a foul mood, and I'm no longer content with something I was thrilled with a few hours before, that I realize the culprit. Steven Furtick has wisely called this voice that overcomes us the Chatterbox. It is the voice that continues to tell us how little we have, how we aren't enough, how we don't do enough, aren't ________ enough. I don't mean to speak for him, and please don't allow my poor penmanship to deter you from this fantastic book. The point is, I allow the Chatterbox, the voices that continue to secure me in discontentment, to control my emotions, my mood and feelings about life in general.

When will it ever be enough? "It" being whatever you're are looking to gain; money, power, fame, cars, promotions, relationships, any thing. I realize this post probably makes me sound like I sit around all day and have the "poor me" attitude. This is not true, however if you don't choose to believe that I guess it should be no worry of mine. I do love the life I have been blessed with. I do love my family, friends, and being the mommy to one special girl. I love that my husband is loving his career, and I love that we have wonderful friendships and community. I love that God has so graciously taken care of us beyond what I could ever imagine, but somehow that doesn't stop me from believing the lies that creep in. Sometimes I think I should quite some of the social media I have. I love this line in Steven Furtick's book Crash the Chatterbox "One of the main reasons we struggle with insecurity: we're comparing our behind-the-scenes with everybody else's highlight reel." I compare my life, and sometimes the rough day I am having, to the perfectly happy pictures I see on social media. Sometimes I think I should just be able to stop comparing, that I should have enough control. BUT I don't always think comparing is a bad thing.

If I am noticing someone's faith or great relational skills, I don't think it is a bad idea to compare myself to the great things I see. The problem lies when I start to hear that I am not good enough, or I suck at doing _____ and my friends are so much better at ____ than me. And honestly, I really like looking at cars. My husband alway jokes that I know more about cars than he does, maybe not the engine and mechanics but I definitely know the names and looks of cars. Just don't ask me to fix one. See I like looking at the new features and seeing how different cars compare. The same thing with houses. I love going through new homes and going to the latest home show. I don't think that is bad. Once again I think the problem lies when I start to believe that the home I'm living in is not enough. Or the car I drive is not enough. Or my job is not enough because we can't have _______. THAT is the problem. And sadly I do face these challenges. More times than I care to admit.

end rant.



I wrote this post a while ago. I have to admit reading it again I fear posting it for how people may judge me. My hope is this may help others that struggle with comparing, whether it is a daily struggle or just through a specific season.

 The words that have helped me in the past and continue to during my lack of contentment through different seasons are the words from Beth Moore's book Believing God :

God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God's word is alive and active in me.