You pull up to the exquisite, well-manicured lawn, of the person's home that invited you to their catalog party (you know the type; 31, Scentsy, Premier, etc. etc.) This is a nice house. I wish my yard looked like this. Maybe I'll call a landscaper next week. I would like to have a bigger home. Maybe I'll start looking through the real estate. Once you are out of the car and have discontinued comparing your home to this one, you immediately start again. Am I dressed well enough for the people who will be here? Do I have enough money in my checking to even buy anything? Wait, I came, so I will HAVE to buy something. I probably should have eaten before I came. Between all the errand running and juggling of household duties today, I forgot to eat. I don't need to look like a pig, so I better just stay away from the snack table. So what are you ordering? Oh yeah, I like that too (that necklace is HOW much?). You spend the entire time worrying about what other people are thinking about you, or at least I do. Then I leave, having spent too much money, not really loving what I purchased, and feeling the pang of comparison hit yet again. This is why I always tell myself I will NOT go to any more of these little sales parties. I worry myself too much over them.
I like to think I do not compare myself with others that often, but I challenged myself to make a list of things I have compared just in the past week. Here is what I have came up with (and I've probably left out way more!)
- My home. I look weekly through real estate and compare my home to those I look at. That huge pantry sure would be nice.
-My body. You go in a dressing room, try on something you think looks halfway decent on you, walk out to look in the full length mirror and then see someone 6 sizes smaller wearing the same thing, and immediately mark that outfit off the list. Why can't it look like that on ME?
-My work. Is it good enough? Is it enough? Should I add this? Change this?
-Time I spend with my family. Oh look, she took her daughter to the zoo this week. That family went to Disney World. Wow, look at the quality time that family is getting to spend with each other. Do I spend enough quality time with mine?
-Food. Yes food. Dinner is served. Yes, that would be a peanut butter sandwich, a banana, and some yogurt. I'm sorry I didn't have time to fix what other Moms are fixing their child tonight.
The list could go on and on and on.
Comparison. The thief of joy. The door that opens and greets worry. Comparison creates worry and anxiety about things that shouldn't even be present in our minds. I had never thought about this as a cause of my anxiety issues, but it definitely plays a part. I am too often let down because of my expectations and comparisons I make with what OTHERS are doing or being in their own lives. My competitive nature helps me be successful in a lot of areas. It helps me push myself in order to set and accomplish goals and it can be a good thing. It also tempts me however to fall into the trap of comparison.
Why not count blessings instead of downfalls. Rejoicing in our successes instead of wallowing in our failures. Galatians 6:4 tells us that we should examine our own work instead of others. Take a long look at the the work we are doing in our lives and others and the things we are doing for the Lord. Serving a spirit of worry instead of the spirit of God is the consequence of comparison.
Philippians 2:3-4 goes on to say that we should do nothing in rivalry or pride but in humility. Staying humble can keep us from comparing. Doing things truly out of the goodness of ourselves instead of the debilitating task of keeping up with our "neighbor" is essential.
What do I have to want for? I have a home. I have clothing. My family is well fed, clothed, and warm. We have cars to drive, jobs to work, and hobbies we enjoy. I am determined that this week I will work hard to see the blessings around me, and know that the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want for anything!
I like to think I do not compare myself with others that often, but I challenged myself to make a list of things I have compared just in the past week. Here is what I have came up with (and I've probably left out way more!)
- My home. I look weekly through real estate and compare my home to those I look at. That huge pantry sure would be nice.
-My body. You go in a dressing room, try on something you think looks halfway decent on you, walk out to look in the full length mirror and then see someone 6 sizes smaller wearing the same thing, and immediately mark that outfit off the list. Why can't it look like that on ME?
-My work. Is it good enough? Is it enough? Should I add this? Change this?
-Time I spend with my family. Oh look, she took her daughter to the zoo this week. That family went to Disney World. Wow, look at the quality time that family is getting to spend with each other. Do I spend enough quality time with mine?
-Food. Yes food. Dinner is served. Yes, that would be a peanut butter sandwich, a banana, and some yogurt. I'm sorry I didn't have time to fix what other Moms are fixing their child tonight.
The list could go on and on and on.
Comparison. The thief of joy. The door that opens and greets worry. Comparison creates worry and anxiety about things that shouldn't even be present in our minds. I had never thought about this as a cause of my anxiety issues, but it definitely plays a part. I am too often let down because of my expectations and comparisons I make with what OTHERS are doing or being in their own lives. My competitive nature helps me be successful in a lot of areas. It helps me push myself in order to set and accomplish goals and it can be a good thing. It also tempts me however to fall into the trap of comparison.
Why not count blessings instead of downfalls. Rejoicing in our successes instead of wallowing in our failures. Galatians 6:4 tells us that we should examine our own work instead of others. Take a long look at the the work we are doing in our lives and others and the things we are doing for the Lord. Serving a spirit of worry instead of the spirit of God is the consequence of comparison.
Philippians 2:3-4 goes on to say that we should do nothing in rivalry or pride but in humility. Staying humble can keep us from comparing. Doing things truly out of the goodness of ourselves instead of the debilitating task of keeping up with our "neighbor" is essential.
What do I have to want for? I have a home. I have clothing. My family is well fed, clothed, and warm. We have cars to drive, jobs to work, and hobbies we enjoy. I am determined that this week I will work hard to see the blessings around me, and know that the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want for anything!