“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Teddy Roosevelt.

Comparing ourselves to others and what they have or do can become an obsession in our lives. We look around and compare our talents, homes, cars, stuff, vacations, family, lifestyles, bodies, careers, etc. and the list can go on and on. It is never ending and has been made worse by social media, where our value can be determined by likes and dislikes. It is a sad commentary on our society when the opinion of another person(s) outweighs the value God has given us through the gift of His Son.

I struggled in this area of comparison into my adult years. I would sit in church and wonder, “Why can’t I sing like her,” or “Why can’t I play the piano like him?” I would actually sit in church coveting what other people had and could do. Then, one morning I was singing “The Butterfly Song,” with the four and five year olds at church and God spoke through the song to teach me an important lesson.

Click on the image above to hear “The Butterfly Song”

When I sang the chorus, “I just thank you Father for making me, me. Cause you gave me a heart and you gave me a smile. You gave me Jesus and you made me your child. And I just thank you, Father for making me, me!” I vividly remember realizing I had never thanked God for how He had made me or for the gifts He had given me. I determined from that day forward to stop wanting what other people had and start being grateful for what He had given me. It was intentional and it was liberating. Freedom!

The process wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I realized as long as I wanted what other people had, I could never fully enjoy or appreciate their God-given gift or embrace the gifts He had given me.

Now, I’m able to go to church and worship God with the amazing worship teams He has given us. Freedom!

I can visit people’s homes and enjoy their decorating skills, hospitality, landscaping, and organization. Freedom!

I get to enjoy their gift of gardening, sewing, canning, and growing flowers. Freedom!

I purchased a picture years ago with the saying, “Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those who sang the best.”

The most important lesson I have learned through this refinement, has been to respect and honor the way God has created each of us. I am so thankful that God saw it fit to gift each of us with special and unique talents, abilities, and passions. How boring would life be if we were all the exact same?

Even so the body is not made up of one part, but of many. Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason top being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.”
-1 Corinthians 12:14-18

He has created us and gifted us in different ways for the sole purpose of glorifying Him.

You are the light of the world. A tower built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16

When you stop comparing yourself to others and start celebrating the unique and beautiful way God has made each of us, there is freedom!

This month, I want us to commit to doing 3 things:

1. If this trap of comparison has been a stumbling block in your life, acknowledge it and begin the work to accept and celebrate how God has designed and gifted you. Stop asking “what if” and “if only.” Thank God for the gifts He has given you and discover ways they can be used to glorify Him.

2. Facebook can be a trap for me as I see what other people are doing or where they are going. If you find yourself falling into this same trap, establish boundaries to guard your heart.

3. Acknowledge other people’s gifts and be grateful. Make it a point to compliment and thank others for sharing their unique gifts. Say it in person, write a note, send a text, but choose to compliment, rather than compare.