You Are Not Her!

• “I can’t believe the Joneses are vacationing in Europe, and we can’t even get to the beach.”
• “Why did she get a book contract when I’ve been writing longer than she has?”
• “I sent the steering committee my résumé, but they chose a younger person with less experience.”

Don’t do it, friend.

Compare. Compete.

Because it is simply a dead end. Personally. Professionally. Spiritually. God has called you to follow Him, glorify Him, and further His kingdom through your own unique story. Not hers.

Can you trust Him for that? A chance to live out the grace you received as a free gift?

Paul reminds us today, “Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God? So what’s the point of all this comparing and competing? You already have all you need.” ~ 1 Corinthians 4:7 MSG

We were created, redeemed, and sustained so that we may live our unique stories—yes, with all the mess, mistakes, meanderings, and even miracles.

Those who need to know us will be put in our path by a sovereign God. Her success does not mean my failure.

A few years ago, Tracie Miles was thrilled to be invited to speak at a large women’s conference. But as she sat in the hotel lobby and observed the other speakers, her confidence began to slip away. “I began wondering whether the other speakers were more experienced than I was, if their messages would be more encouraging than mine, . . . if they were more successful in their ministries, if the attendees would like them better, on and on it went. As I compared myself to these women, my mind was filled with thoughts of insecurity and inferiority.”

Every time we compare ourselves with someone else, we are in danger of believing the lie of rejection—that our own lives are not important.

Did you think you were the only insecure person around?

Everyone suffers from comparison. “So much of our own unhappiness is rooted in assuming that someone else is living the happy life we want. The person you’re measuring your life up against? She is measuring her life against someone else’s. And someone is comparing herself to you! It’s a whole cycle of comparison that doesn’t end until someone says enough is enough.” (Jennifer Dukes Lee)

Okay, I’ll say it: “Enough is enough!”

Here’s how I fight the comparison battle:

1. I truly believe that I am loved and chosen by God.
2. I obey what He is calling me to do and be.
3. I encourage, promote, and lift up others. I go first. I pray to be a generous and grace-filled person.

You were not created to be her.

Isn’t that a relief? Now, go forth and become the very best version of yourself, by God’s grace.

under the mercy, Cindy

©2017 Lucinda Secrest McDowell – adapted from Ordinary Graces (Abingdon Press)

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