Hey Girl: A 5-Day Devotional by Anne WilsonSmakprov

No Comparison

Hey Girl!

Today, I challenge you to be honest with God and yourself. When you look in the mirror, what's the first thing you notice? Are you critiquing and focusing on every flaw? When you look at other girls, what thoughts run through your mind? Are you thinking of all the things they have that you don’t? We can all fall for this trick of the enemy from time to time.

Just this week, a sweet and beautiful friend of mine shared her struggle with comparison. She said she caught herself comparing her appearance to someone else and wasted half her day thinking about all the things she wished she could change. She wished her hair were straight instead of curly and that she were 5 inches shorter. Instead of thanking God for the breath in her lungs and the natural beauty that He bestowed on her, she confessed that she was stuck in a place of pride and self-absorption. It’s true. We can get so caught up in the opinions and views of our beauty-obsessed culture that we disregard the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by our Creator, who made us just the way we are. What a great reminder it is to reflect on the fact that Jesus is perfect - without any flaws, and we are created in His image!

The only comparison we should be making is evaluating our lives to determine if we are being Christlike in our thoughts and actions. We shouldn’t be focused on our outward appearance but instead should be concerned with renewing our spirits and minds in Jesus. We need to step back and remember that we do not serve the world and its interests but are servants of the Most High. Just like the old Christian hymn proclaims, we need to look less at our own face and instead marvel at that of Jesus…so that the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. The more our spirits align with Christ’s, the more quickly we begin to see our insecure thoughts fade.

When you strive to have a heart after God’s, you start focusing less on yourself and more on Him. It becomes clear that He is your security, fulfillment, portion, and greatest love. He is so intentional in what He creates, and none of us are mistakes. He knows the number of hairs on your head, every thought you’ve had, and every tear you’ve cried.

So the next time you catch the enemy whispering lies that put you down and make you feel as though you’re not good enough, I want you to think of the overflowing love your Heavenly Father has for you. The love He has for you cannot be expressed in words. Just think…He knew you before you were born, and He knit you together with great purpose and good works He has prepared in advance for you. You are exactly the person God designed you to be…made to be in the image of Christ.

Scriptures to Meditate On:

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” - Galatians 1:10

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” - Romans 12:2

“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” - 2 Corinthians 10:12

Reflective Questions:

• What gifts do you think the Lord has given you?
• How can you use these gifts to glorify the Lord and help build His kingdom?
• What Scriptures can you memorize this week as your personal battle cries to combat lies the enemy tries to tell you?

Prayer:

Lord, I come before you today in complete humility. I surrender my flesh and my earthly desires because I want to become more like you, Father. Lord, I ask that you break the chains of pride in my life so that I am able to walk in the freedom of your love. I pray that in this freedom, I will be able to see the beauty of your plan unfold in my life. Help me to appreciate all that you’ve blessed me with instead of being consumed with myself. It’s so hard when I’m constantly being bombarded with the pressures of this world, but I pray I will rest in the fact that Your power and love will overtake any plot of the enemy. Your Word never fails. It is in Your holy name I pray, Jesus…Amen.