Praying Girls By Sheila WalshSample

Day Two

“God, who do You want me to be?”

Scripture: Romans 12:6; Psalm 139

Everyone I know struggles at times with comparison. Even the smartest, prettiest, most talented people alive compare themselves to the people they think are smarter, prettier, and more talented than they are. Nobody escapes the comparison trap.

That’s the bad news. 

The good news is this: we can hop right out of that trap and move on with our day. 

Let me show you how. 

Let’s say you’re really into ballet. You’ve been training for six years straight and are feeling pretty good about your skill level. But then she moves to town and joins your dance class. She is your same age. Your same level. And yet, she is somehow . . . better. 

Ugh. You thought you were doing well in ballet until that girl came along. 

You’ve fallen into the comparison trap. Now, what should you do? 

I’d like to pause for a moment and read a verse of Scripture with you. It’s from Romans 12:6: 

Let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. (Message) 

Back to our ballet scenario. If you were to go to class thinking not about how crummy you feel around that new dancer but rather about how to look and act like Jesus in her presence, what do you suppose might change? 

Maybe instead of being jealous of that new girl, you would welcome her to class. 

Maybe instead of giving her the cold shoulder, you would let compassion lead the way. 

Maybe instead of working to look better than her, you would encourage her in her dancing. 

The point is this: rather than focusing our attention on comparing ourselves to others, we can focus our attention on becoming more like God. And when that is how we choose to spend our days, we will be exactly who God made us to be. 

God, it is so hard sometimes to feel like I’m enough! I hate feeling insecure. And yet every day it seems like I fall into those traps. I’m ready to steer clear of them! Please help me to remember that You have made me on purpose for a purpose and that the only person I need to be is me. Amen.