All In All 5 Day Devotional Sample

Now I’m certainly no expert on spiritual warfare, but it seems to me that one of the enemy’s favorite tactics—especially with women—is to come after our confidence and convince us to compare ourselves to other people. That comparison can manifest itself in all sorts of negative, one-way conversations inside our heads:

“Sarah is so much better at talking to people than I am. I get shy and awkward when I’m around people I don’t know very well, so it’s no wonder I don’t have many friends.”

“Everybody I know is great at something; they all seem to be gifted in one particular thing. I’m just okay at lots of things, and I’m sick of being average.”

“I would give anything to be as funny as Graham. I can’t even tell a knock-knock joke without stumbling over my words.”

“If my hair looked half as good as Melanie’s always does, I’d be happy every single day.” (This one is not really a comparison. This one is THE ACTUAL TRUTH because my friend Melanie’s hair is fantastic, and if I had her hair, I’d be happy every single day of my life.) (Also, this is not a lie from the enemy because facts are facts, people).

And in all seriousness. There’s a frequently repeated (or retweeted, as the case may be) saying that “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and if you ask me, the originator of that phrase is a genius. Because comparison is the voice that screams, “You are not enough,” and for some reason we not only listen to that voice, but we also believe it. Over and over again.

That’s precisely why many of us stay trapped in a spiral of doubt and discouragement that can lead to some unmerited shame. And as soon as we think we’re in the clear to jump onto steadier ground, the spiral picks us up, pulls us in, and spins us around even stronger than it did the first time. It’s a dumb way to live. And if that spiral weren’t enough, there’s this: comparison is a never-ending, pointless competition that no one ever wins. You may be picking up on the fact that comparison is not my favorite.

And honestly, you have no need for comparison. The temptation to look from side to side as you size up the “competition” is not from God. It’s just one of the ways the enemy likes to distract you. Don’t fall for it, though. The Lord has so much more and so much better for you. He wants you to look up and reach out and walk confidently into the life He’s given you.

Because you are more than enough—just as you are. There’s only one person in the world with your personality, your gifts, your passions, and your abilities. You really are beyond compare. Why settle for side-eyeing when you can get out there and get after it? Walk your road, sister. You were made for it.