Struggling with comparison?

Hey!

Do you feel like you've been comparing yourself to people too much lately? Maybe, you're not where you want to be within your career or you have no idea what you want to do at that. Or maybe, it seems like everyone around you is getting engaged or married and you've been single for years. No matter the reasoning, it happens!

I've been there before.

To be honest, I've been doing it often, up until recently. I've been in a space where I've been thinking a lot about different goals and projects I've been contemplating on beginning or taking further.

There are many people around me doing so many great things and sometimes, I find myself being overwhelmed with the process of getting started.

Taking that first step in my opinion, is the hardest. If you take it, who knows what could happen...that in itself can be scary but if you don't, and you play it safe, you may never know what might have come out of your decision to take a risk.

I've realized taking risks can be terrifying! It may take trial and error, but it's a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and allowing God to be your guide.

Think about it this way, if things work out God is with you and if they don't, He is still with you and won't let you fall.

If one thing doesn't go how you planned, something else will fall into place.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

The Lord is gracious to never leave us!

He places desires, dreams, and passions on our heart for a reason. He wants you to work toward them. Is there a nonprofit you've been thinking about starting for years? Do you want to go back to school? Want to write a book? Is there a certain job you feel called to take in spite of what others have to say? Have you been considering moving out of the country? DO IT! You could be walking into something great!

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11.

God KNOWS the plans He has for us, those we know and those we don't. It's harder to trust someone when we don't know the outcome but we have two choices, either we can sit here and worry; not do what it is that we want too and feel like God is telling us to do, or take a chance on our dreams and do (pursue) what makes us happy!

It's easier said then done, but that's why we can do it in "His strength" and not our own.

So, when you feel yourself starting to worry and comparing yourself to others, remember your journey may not look like the next person, often times it won't. It may take you more time or you may have to go through what seems like a harder journey to get to your destination.

Keep in mind, you don't know what the person you are comparing yourself to had to go through to get to where they are. All we know is what we see or what people tell us. You don't know what that friend of yours went through behind closed doors or what that family had to endure before they got to the place they are now.

Writing is something I love doing and this past week, I decided to take my passion a step further, but I had to remind myself, it's not about the number of "likes" I get on Instagram, shares, or page views but WHY I wanted to start a blog in the first place and WHO I am doing it for! If I can "make Jesus famous" (shoutout to Dani and Dannah), known to at least one person or impact them in a positive way, then I am doing my job and am inspiring someone!

danmidayjay. “Who Cares!!” YouTube, YouTube, 29 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br3_IesD4j4.

Here, I want to leave you with a couple tips of things I have t tried or will try when I find myself comparing my life to others in a negative or overwhelming way:

1. Pray

2. Unfollow who you have been comparing yourself too. (Some of you may ask "why?" It might sound silly, but because then you can focus more on yourself without focusing on what others are doing for the wrong reasons). The next tip goes along with this point..

3. Fast from social media or your phone in general. I know! Do WHAT!? Yes, you read it right. It's so you can shut out the noise and opinions of others and hear God more clearly and REALLY figure out what it is that He is trying to say to you and what YOU want to do.

4. Self-reflect. Ask yourself questions like, "Why do I want to accomplish or start (X,Y, or Z)?" "Why am I comparing myself to so-and-so?" "Am I insecure in myself or my abilities?" "What are my motives?"

5. Talk out your ideas, goals, and plans with someone you trust!

6. Write (Habakkuk 2:2).

7. Be patient!

Comparison isn't always a bad thing. It can be a good thing if the person is motivating you to reach your dreams or their story is encouraging, but we have to be careful and able to tell when feelings of jealously or worry are trying to creep in.

Sis, you got this!

-KT