Have you ever looked at some part of your life; family, job, house, car, friends, body, etc. and then compared it to someone else's? I know I have a tendency to do this and today I was thinking about why. I don't have an honest answer as to why I but I don't believe I am the only one. I think many women suffer from the comparison game and for some reason, it seems to be more common among women than men.
I don't know why women seem to fall in to this trap but I believe it has more to do with outward appearances than anything else. Everyone wants to appear as if their life is all put together. That the pieces of their life puzzle all fit beautifully together while their own are seen as scattered around, bent or missing. I know what it is like to put on a front to "appear" put together to the outside world even if my world seems to be falling apart. When we live by these lies we are failing to acknowledge all that makes us who we are; all the little imperfections that make us unique and special.
So how can women steer clear of this trap? I don't know. I am still trying to figure it out myself. I do know that God has created each one of us with a unique plan and purpose. We were designed by His hand and He makes no mistakes. In Psalm 139:13 it says "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb". To find peace in that verse means to accept all the parts of who you are. For me, that list includes my crazy hair, pale skin, wild emotions and stubborn tendencies.
I believe women battling with comparisons, need to hide these words in their heart and mind so the next time they are tempted to compare themselves against another, they can remember that their life, no matter how imperfect it may appear to them, was created by our Father. So really who are to we argue?
I completely agree, and everyone needs to hear this! I wish I knew the answers as well, and that it were easy to not compare....all I know is that I totally understand (in a way, of course everyone deals with their own "stuff") and have compared all too often in my own life (with some crazy circumstances!). I never thought to think of my imperfections...all gazillion of them...as making me unique, and you are right. They do! They help us to be who we are, and when we suffer, or struggle, or think we have fallen short in any area at all, we all need to know that God can use it all for good. Maybe it is so that we can help someone else as well, or as I heard the other day: speak someone else's language. Us women...we are so stubborn! (Actually I think that is just me!!!!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway...just wanted you to know you have been in my thoughts lately :) And I just happened to have found these good words on your blog! Hope your week goes well with minimal stress!