We’ve all seen that woman who always looks beautiful.
… even if she’s just worked out.
… even if she just rolled out of bed.
… even if she has 5 kids.
… even if she has a full-time job.
…even if she’s been crying.
And we’ve thought to ourselves, “How can I compete with that?”
Especially because we try to look our best — except in morning drop-off line at school — and still can’t compete with her.
It’s frustrating.
And it not only triggers those insecurities that tangle us up, but it can also awaken the not-so-nice girl in each of us.
We think things like:
~ She may be pretty, but I bet she isn’t very friendly.
~ Her legs might be long and toned, but I bet she can’t cook to save her life.
~ Her complexion is flawless, but I bet she’s not a very attentive mom.
Sometimes we secretly hope something in her perfect world would go wrong so she’d seem more mortal. And so we place a microscope on her life looking for something to criticize…
…just so we feel better about ourselves.
Yuck, yuck, and yuck.
Don’t you ever wonder why?
… Why it’s so hard to cheer another woman on?
As if life isn’t difficult enough, we find ourselves sick with envy and struggling to appreciate the blessings and giftings of other women.
We feel threatened. We feel inferior. We feel like we can’t measure up.
But friends… why are we trying to?
When God created YOU, He did so on purpose and with great creativity. He decided what color your eyes and hair would be. He chose your body type. He decided when you’d show up on the Kingdom calendar and what family you’d grow up in. He filled you with interests and talents, and the personality to bring them to life.
God didn’t design YOU like anyone else.
On purpose.
And you know what? He made her with the same thoughtfulness. He gave her qualities that are specifically unique to her.
Also on purpose.
And because of that, you’re not qualified to handle the challenges and blessings that come with her life. Just as she isn’t equipped to handle those in your life.
When you get all knotted up in that nasty trap of comparison, your self-esteem will tangle because you’ll be left feeling like you just don’t measure up.
But you weren’t meant to, because you weren’t created to be her.
You were created to be you.
P.S. Untangled Radio will be back in a few weeks!
Ml Wiggins says
You hit the nail on the head. I struggle with comparisons and find it hard to rejoice with another’s victories… find it much easier to cry with another’s sorrows. ML
Carey Scott says
Gosh, I think that is SO normal! Thanks for being honest… 🙂
Leasa says
This is great! Thank you so much for this one!! I agree you put it perfectly!! I’ve been struggling with this for a very long time. And I’m trying so hard not to 🙁 But this post really helped me this morning!! God bless
Carey Scott says
Leasa… love how God gives us the right word at the right time!