Comparison

We often fall into comparison, wanting to be “like” another person or have something(s) “like” someone else’s.

It occurred to me that this curse has its roots in the Garden. When the serpent approached Eve tempting her to eat from the forbidden tree he said:

“‘For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be LIKE God….’” (Genesis 3:5, New American Standard Bible, emphasis added.)

Comparison. Eve fell for it. We fall for it. A lot. Sometimes we feel “less than.” “I wish I had hair like her’s; beautiful.” “I wish my body type was like hers; it would be so much easier to find clothes.” “I wish I had children….” “I wish … then …” I would be happy, I would feel good about myself. We fall for the lie instead of trusting God and believing the truth: the Lord created each of us “perfect” and blessed us with His grace to live lives of peace, joy, and abundance. Over and over again we fall for Satan’s lie: our life isn’t good enough, we’re not good enough because we don’t have something or are not “like” someone else.

The lie hurts us and grieves the heart of our Father.

While we might not measure up in our own eyes or in the eyes of the world, He Who loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3, NASB), Who dotes on us, even sings over us (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV), is crushed when we see ourselves as less than His perfect, beloved child. He has never created anyone “less than.”

Father, help us to choose to discipline ourselves to trust You and stop believing the lie. We don’t need to be “like” anyone else; You made us exactly “like” we should be – perfect – and You love each of us just like we are.

Note: “NRSV” – New American Standard Bible. “NIV” – New International Version.

(C) Debbie Lowe, 2019