Suffocates hope. Divides love.
The truest thief of all joy and instigator of envy.
It's a slow death but one that we all wrestle.
As a 7 year old, I was completely aware of my lack of style and terrible hair. I had never noticed before, but today it was a strong presence in my thoughts. I couldn't find anything about myself that I liked actually.
As a nanny, I heard a beautiful little girl, wonder why she didn't look like someone else.
As an adult, everyday I see, wonder and am aware of these same thoughts in myself and very clearly others.
What has comparison done to our world? It has made a lot of advances in technology and put many people in debt. It has borrowed credit cards and rented out suits. It has posted a newer and sweeter quote on Instagram and chosen to stay home rather than not have a new outfit to show off.
It has robed many days of joy and removed peace from many lives. Just the way it always has.
From Genesis to Revelation this temptation of comparison always threatens us.
James 3:16 "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
It is so easy to notice someones raise in their upgraded wardrobe and recent trade in for a 2016. It is so easy to go through each hashtag some one posts on every picture on social media and wonder how they do it. And what did you do wrong? You are more deserving and would look better in it any way! And it gets even worse, when someones life downsizes and your happy for yourself. Or after a car accident they get a lesser vehicle. There is this evil desire that presents OURSELF better and more deserving of others AND in our heart rejoices in our elevation of social statues to someone else. From a couple of pounds a high school rival finally gained to a lost marriage.
And it is destroying us. The church, God's people and our souls.
If we are able to live life on this never ending totem pole of rejoicing and gaining, or disappointment and failure because of the comparison of people, we are living in the most evil places of our heart. The sin of COMPARISON in our hearts is truly leading to destruction. While we secretly hate our neighbor and are thriving for success, the enemy is stealing more souls and making more enemies of Christ.
While we sit in the dark and think at least we aren't as bad as someone else and compare sins, we are folding our cards to the enemy. Thats exactly where he can work his magic. Being so far from Gods heart in what we deem such a small way is the quickest and easiest way to distract us from our calling.
I really feel like believers have been blinded to the wickedness of our own hearts. Do we even hear ourselves talk sometimes? Or what is in our heads? How can we profess to follow who Jesus is and still be able to look at others with such vanity. How can we see others in that way and say we are like our Savior?
It is actually ok to still be in school and not where you expected to be this time 5 years ago. Its ok, that your marriage doesn't look like the average Christian posting photos of their suppose 8 days a week. It is normal to not have your life together at all times. You are missing the point if thats all you can see.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE CROSS.
Jesus made it possible for salvation. Jesus opened the door to freedom. Not a Mercedes. Jesus has put us all the same distance from the cross. I beg you to recognize Jesus as the only comparison. For your souls sake, look at him. We can never measure up or catch up. By grace we are given freedom and by grace we are all seeking the same thing. CHRIST.
Steer your heart away from others. Avoid what causes your heart to stumble to comparison. For me, I don't read magazines and there are certain instagrams I don't follow. The same way a porn addict knows how to avoid falling into his muse. Its smart. Run to who Jesus is and the wholeness He offers and refuse to kindle the hatred of comparison at all cost in your heart.
As a nanny, I heard a beautiful little girl, wonder why she didn't look like someone else.
As an adult, everyday I see, wonder and am aware of these same thoughts in myself and very clearly others.
What has comparison done to our world? It has made a lot of advances in technology and put many people in debt. It has borrowed credit cards and rented out suits. It has posted a newer and sweeter quote on Instagram and chosen to stay home rather than not have a new outfit to show off.
It has robed many days of joy and removed peace from many lives. Just the way it always has.
From Genesis to Revelation this temptation of comparison always threatens us.
James 3:16 "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
It is so easy to notice someones raise in their upgraded wardrobe and recent trade in for a 2016. It is so easy to go through each hashtag some one posts on every picture on social media and wonder how they do it. And what did you do wrong? You are more deserving and would look better in it any way! And it gets even worse, when someones life downsizes and your happy for yourself. Or after a car accident they get a lesser vehicle. There is this evil desire that presents OURSELF better and more deserving of others AND in our heart rejoices in our elevation of social statues to someone else. From a couple of pounds a high school rival finally gained to a lost marriage.
And it is destroying us. The church, God's people and our souls.
If we are able to live life on this never ending totem pole of rejoicing and gaining, or disappointment and failure because of the comparison of people, we are living in the most evil places of our heart. The sin of COMPARISON in our hearts is truly leading to destruction. While we secretly hate our neighbor and are thriving for success, the enemy is stealing more souls and making more enemies of Christ.
While we sit in the dark and think at least we aren't as bad as someone else and compare sins, we are folding our cards to the enemy. Thats exactly where he can work his magic. Being so far from Gods heart in what we deem such a small way is the quickest and easiest way to distract us from our calling.
I really feel like believers have been blinded to the wickedness of our own hearts. Do we even hear ourselves talk sometimes? Or what is in our heads? How can we profess to follow who Jesus is and still be able to look at others with such vanity. How can we see others in that way and say we are like our Savior?
It is actually ok to still be in school and not where you expected to be this time 5 years ago. Its ok, that your marriage doesn't look like the average Christian posting photos of their suppose 8 days a week. It is normal to not have your life together at all times. You are missing the point if thats all you can see.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE CROSS.
Jesus made it possible for salvation. Jesus opened the door to freedom. Not a Mercedes. Jesus has put us all the same distance from the cross. I beg you to recognize Jesus as the only comparison. For your souls sake, look at him. We can never measure up or catch up. By grace we are given freedom and by grace we are all seeking the same thing. CHRIST.
Steer your heart away from others. Avoid what causes your heart to stumble to comparison. For me, I don't read magazines and there are certain instagrams I don't follow. The same way a porn addict knows how to avoid falling into his muse. Its smart. Run to who Jesus is and the wholeness He offers and refuse to kindle the hatred of comparison at all cost in your heart.
