He had many famous quotes. One of them being:
"Comparison is the thief of joy.."
So famous in fact that for the longest time I was 100% certain that this quote was a bible passage!
Anyway, so today I came home from church and before I started doing anything productive I whipped out my phone and started strolling through my instagram feed.
Now I know that I cannot be the only person who does this, but as soon as I see someone who looks prettier, more successful, happier, smarter, better body, better skin, whiter teeth, better job, own home, living in their purpose, well travelled etc. than me, I instantly become upset/low/depressed/annoyed/discouraged [< insert any word that best describes how you feel when you are feeling sorry for yourself here.]
Literally five seconds before I could be so content, confident and happy in myself, but as soon as I see someone who just appears to have life a little more together than I do.. comparison creeps in, discontentment starts and then self-doubt and questioning God about my life begins.
It is such a vicious cycle!
I follow this really cool Australian girl on instagram (@theworthywoman) and one of her posts just made SO much sense.
She said: 'Why do we compare ourselves to others when we are not designed for their purpose and they are not designed for ours?'
What God has planned for my life, is not what God has planned for your life, BUT it does not mean that the end result still won't be great, right?
The mistake that I think social media sites allows us to make, is that we are super busy comparing ourselves to others that it blinds us from recognising and remembering our own God given talents and purposes. Each of our talent(s) is unique to us because there is only ONE US. I can't achieve what every Tom, Dick and Harry has achieved because I'm not them; their talents/gifts/purpose is not my own and even if I tried to achieve what they have, it still would not work because I don't have their understanding of what they were created to do.
Just be YOU.
Y - Your
O - Own
U - Uniqueness
Lesson(s) of today: Be content and grateful with the way God has created you. He has made you unique and with your own quirks for a specific reason - be yourself and let the world know just how weird and wonderful you are!
Comparison LITERALLY is the thief of your joy - do you, be content with you, be proud of your own achievements, follow your own dreams, make your own goals, don't let anything or anyone rob you of your joy and your happiness, don't watch what everyone else is doing and see how your blessings will begin to overflow.
Have an amazing week!
Chid
x
"Don't get so caught up in someone else's victory that you forget to celebrate your own."
"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,"
-Galatians 6:4 (NIV)