How to be Free from Comparison by Michelle D. Howe

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Why do people compare themselves to those around them?  Why do we belittle ourselves for not being talented enough in a specific area?  Why are so many people not living out who they were created to be?  Simple answer – they don’t know who they are, yet!!

 

This is an area I am familiar with as I’ve journey through my life.  This has kept me stuck and communicating a message of “not good enough” or “I’m bad.”

Lets for a second just take the three of us, Jenny, Tammy and me.  If I really wanted to do damage to myself I could compare myself to Jenny’s writing skills or Tammy’s cooking/organizing skills.  I could really keep myself stuck by comparing myself to my sister-in-law or best friend and the fabulous stuff they do that I don’t do so well.  But I won’t.  I can’t.

I dare not to go down that road because if I do I won’t live as Christ meant for me too. I’ll be consumed with their talents and forget my own.  Freedom is not found in living in a “less than” attitude.

So how do I choose to be free from comparison?  I confidently know who I belong to and why I was created.

Who I belong to

My identity is in Christ Jesus.  He is who I identify my life.  He is the one I imitate or copy on a daily basis.  For the longest time, my identity was in what others thought of me and the material stuff in my life.  Once I began living in my true identity I became free from comparison to those around me.  I can not be who they want me to be.  My past, home, clothes, marriage, business does not make up who I am.

Why I was created

I am not a great reader, I am not a great cook.  I am not an artist.  But, I am really good at others things like singing, dancing, communicating, networking, and vision casting.  I was created to bring love and courage to those around me.  How do I do that?  By intentionally letting go of my agenda and aligning myself with Gods.  I live by the motto, my life is not my own. (1Cor. 6:19)

How did I come up with this understanding of myself?  I spent time with my Father.  I spent time searching and knowing Him everyday.  He created me so I am an extension of Him.  His spirit lives in me therefore I no longer belong to myself.

This mindset has brought me to a place of freedom.

Freedom from comparison

Freedom from self-condemnation

Freedom from needing to be liked

Freedom from living someone else’s dream

Freedom from shopping addictions

Freedom from judgement and jealously

I stop living in this freedom when I become self-focused, self-confident, and self-reliant.  Too much “self” and not of Jesus!!!

What if

What if we as a church, disciples of Jesus Christ, lived as we were one body with many parts? (Romans 12:5)  What would be different?  Would jealousy and judgement even exist?  I believe it wouldn’t!!!

If more believers knew who they were and why they were created, we as one body would make a larger difference in this broken and dark world.  The ones that finally figure it out are the ones that we notice.

The ones that God uses not because they are necessarily capable but because they are available.  Also, we notice them because they have let go, surrendered to what they think fills and makes up who they are.

Ready to be free from comparison? Then try this exercise.

Find a jigsaw puzzle.  Large or small it doesn’t matter.  Take all the pieces out of the box.  Look over and examine each piece.  Do they all look different?  Are there any that are similar?  Now start putting it together according to the example on the box.  When it is all placed together, step back and look over it.  See it complete.  See the whole picture as one.  Now carefully look closer and see each individual piece and how it plays a part in the whole picture.  Keep this in your heart and mind when comparison begins to creep in.

When we each finally realize we are all gifted differently, we will stop competing/comparing and begin complimenting each other. Now that is a real win-win!!!  Michelle :-)

What is your experience with comparison? Why else do we compare ourselves to others? Leave your comments!!

You are invited to experience a transformational experience at “It is Finished” Weekend of Wins at Women’s Running Magazine’s Half Marathon in St. Pete, Florida on November 16-18, 2012. This weekend will build renewed confidence and evidence that you can finish.  No need to continue to sit on the sideline.  It’s time to start living the life you were designed to live.  For more information, please visit www.weekendofwins.com or message me at michelle@everydaylifeline.com.

 

 

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