~ Written by Janet Minnix
My insecurities were having a heyday. They were telling me I didn’t measure up, that I wasn’t spiritual enough, because I wasn’t like her. Resentment began to build.
I struggled to internalize the truth that I was God’s unique creation. I printed Ephesians 1:3-12 from the Living Bible and placed it with my devotional notebook, chewing over phrases like “we who stand before him covered with his love” and “because of what Christ has done, we have become gifts to God that he delights in.” Precious, life-giving truths, but I seemed to sink deeper into a pit. I was in bondage to the sin of comparison.
Years ago, I heard Chuck Swindoll preach on Galatians 6:4: “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else” (emphasis added). I’ve never forgotten the title of his message, Comparisons are Odious. Those words echoed through my mind as I struggled to stop comparing.
I have read that when dealing with feelings of resentment toward someone, you should pray for that person. I tried that. But I seemed to run out of words.
Then one day, as I was talking to God about my feelings and faulty perceptions, the Holy Spirit brought to mind a song I had sung in college choir. The words are from the Priestly Blessing in Numbers 6: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
It seemed God was telling me to pray that blessing for her. Here were words when I had no words; a biblical prayer for her well-being when I felt stymied. I began to pray those words, or sometimes sing them mentally, when thought of her and resentment started to build. Gradually it became a habit to pray the blessing when she came to mind. And as I pray for her blessing and peace, I’m finding that the struggle with comparison is melting away. God is giving me peace as well.
Great comparison buster, Janet. Good advice for those of us who on some days don’t feel like we measure up. It helps me to remind myself that the real standard is Jesus Christ and in HIm I measure up to all the fullness of Christ. Wow!