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Do you ever compare yourself to other women and feel like you don’t measure up?
Maybe you feel think you’re not as smart, pretty, fun, organized or as good at _______ as they are.
I’m sharing my heart over at P31 today about how easy it is to think that if we had more or knew more, we’d be secure. But the truth is, even people who have it all still struggle with feelings of insecurity. The Bible opens with teh story of a woman who had everything but it still wasn’t enough (Genesis 2).
Even though God established Eve’s worth as His child; the crown of His creation and lavished her with gifts of intimacy, beauty, security, significance, and purpose – it wasn’t enough. Satan convinced Eve to take her eyes off what she did have and focus on what she didn’t have.
Have you also heard Satan’s whispers, saying you’re not all you could be — or should be?
Just like Eve, you and I have an enemy. The Bible calls him the father of lies, and tell us there is no truth in him (John 8:44). Interestingly, the meaning of the word lie is “a falsehood with the intent to deceive.”
Satan doesn’t just lie. He has intends to deceive us by getting us to take our eyes off of who we are and what we have in Christ. It’s exactly what he did with Eve:
“Then the eyes of both [Adam and Eve] were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’
He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’” (Gen. 3:7–11)
In response, God asks who told them they were naked. In other words, “Who told you that something is wrong with you?” By asking this, God made sure they knew someone was casting shame on them—and it wasn’t Him.
The enemy whispered lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and from each other.
Satan’s intent for us is exactly the same as it was for Eve. He wants us to believe his deceptions and fall into the distraction of feeling inadequate, insecure and like we’ll never measure up. But we don’t have to go along with him. Instead we can pray, “Lord, help me recognize Satan’s lies, refuse his temptations and rely on Your truth about me instead.”
If we have put our trust in Jesus as our Savior, we can stand on the promises of who we are in Him. And when we are tempted to measure up, we can choose to focus “up” instead as we rely on these truths to remind our hearts of who you are in Christ.
I am accepted . . .
- I am God’s child. John 1:12
- I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
- I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. Ephesians 1:3–8
- I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14–16
I am secure . . .
- I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. Romans 8:28
- I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love. Romans 8:31–39
- I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God. 2 Corinthians 1:21–22
- I am hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1–4
- I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me. Philippians 1:6
- I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
I am significant . . .
- I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. John 15:16
- I am a minister of reconciliation for God. 2 Corinthians 5:17–21
- I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. Ephesians 2:6
- I am God’s workmanship. Ephesians 2:10
- I may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
- I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
___________
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Thanks Renee. This morning was journaling which is really a conversation with God. On this exact topic. I get frustrated with myself for allowing others (satan) to distract me to thoughts that I am not good enough in school at 55, in a startup business, as a friend..on and on. Listening to what the world tells me instead of God. So I am choosing today the promise “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Phil 4:13.
Renee, Your words ring so true in my life. Your gentle reminder of God’s love is beautifully worded. May you continue to be reminded of that love too in your life! Thanks for your ministry.
Comparison really does steal my joy and ruin the blessings I have from God. I am always comparing how I look and always noting how it’s never quite good enough. I appreciate the reminder that my status as a child of God and that I am loved beyond measure. Thanks for the reality check! More of Him and less of me!!!
Thank you so much for reminding me of Gods truth on this matter. It’s been something I’ve been struggling with as of late. I know I shouldn’t feel that way and I will be studying those verses over and over! Thank you for the words of encouragement!
I believed lies about who I was & what I should be for many years – most of my life…not until I gave up comparing myself to others & began seeking God’s TRUTH for my life did I find PEACE…such a difference in how I see myself now – how I view the world & my purpose on earth! I pray for all the young women reading your words today – I ask God’ blessings over your hearts & minds so that His truth becomes clear to you.
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I “stumbled” upon this post this morning through the Proverbs 31 devotional. I needed this message today. Thank you for listening to God’s voice and letting Him use you as His vessel.
Just last night, as I cried to a dear friend about all of my insecurities, I admitted to not feeling as if I am ‘enough’ in any aspect of my life. I am a Christian, wife, mother of 3, teacher, friend and family member…feeling as though I am failing at each and ever task in my life. The internal struggle that I have with myself moment by moment each day is so real and strong. Thank you for bringing me back to reality and reminding me that while each person struggles, what we need most in our life is God.
Amen!
I’ve had such a heavy heart lately and this post is EXACTLY what I needed to confidently place my trust in the Lord and live like I’m His. Thank you for letting the Lord use you!
I really need to read this book. Courage and confidence is what I believe God is wanting to build in me right now.
I don’t know why it seems to be more appealing to hear and accept Satan’s lies about than to believes and receive God’s precious words of who I am to Him and all His promises He has given me. I believe…..Lord, help my unbelief!
A mentor and I had a discussion once about my future career aspirations. After I expressed all these and mentioned how so and so had such an awesome and ideal career, he simply replied with a shrug and the words – “the grass is always greener on the other side”. He said it so confidently that those simple words have stayed with me all these years. The second I veer off from where I know God has established me and I begin to doubt my worth and feel insecure about my current career status, I simply utter that sentence, and it reminds me to put my focus on God once more and not on what I don’t have or have not yet achieved. I don’t want to miss the blessings God has for me and those around me in this season in my life.
Thank you for sharing this insight on the story of Eve and how women still get lured the same way she did that very first time in the garden. So many of us read it and think, “Wow, how could she mess up her perfect world? What more did she want?” We forget that the enemy is very cunning in planting doubt, discontent, and discord. It is such a sobering reminder that we must stand guard and constantly have the word of God in our hearts!!!
I am holding on to the promises on 1 Cor. 6:19-20 – I have been bought with a price and I belong to God!
I’m holding on to the fact that I’m not done yet, because He will be faithful to complete the good work in me that He began. I’m not finished; it is OK that He is still refining me!
Thanks for such wonderful reminders!!
“I am God’s child.” John 1:12
I am struggling with exactly this issue currently, and this devotion could not have come at a better time. My (Christian) counselor/therapist just yesterday gave me homework to complete before our next session: to make a list of “untruths” about myself that I had convinced myself were my weaknesses/failures/shortcomings. (We are dealing with my desire to want to be a better Christian servant to others and a better minister’s wife.) Then I am to list the TRUTHS corresponding to each lie. Then I am to find scripture to back up the truths. So first and foremost, it is incredible to be reminded that I am the child of God (John 1:12) and that, in spite of His amazing omnipotence and how He created the WORLD, He still knows every hair on my head and aches with me when I a in pain. If He created something (me) exactly the way He wants it, and He loves what he created, then how can I put that (me) down or doubt it (me)?
Your words couldn’t have been more timely, Renee. Thank you!
I am hidden with Christ in God….
Greetings: Thank you so much for sharing these truths today. I am most impressed with this statement: “And when we are tempted to measure up, we can choose to focus “up” instead as we rely on these truths to remind our hearts of who you are in Christ.” “FOCUS UP.” I want to do that always. God has been dealing with me lately about trying to do too much for people, and ” the comparison game.” I don’t think I do that as much anymore, but … I know I have placed people on pedestals, and maybe I still have some there. 🙁 May God continue to bless you richly.
I am free from condemnation-praise the Lord that His love is always and forever and is unconditional. Thank you for this devotion!!! I needed to hear this message today.
I totally agree with Renee about how easy it is to compare yourself to others and find yourself lacking. I am guilty of doing this often. I see what others have or don’t have in their lives and I turn a blind eye to the blessings God has bestowed upon me. We are all created to be unique and different to better serve God. I recently heard a talk about spiritual gifts that referred to what the body would look like if the ear decided it wanted to be an eye instead. The same thing can happen in the church body. We need to rejoice in our unique qualities and realize God has given us some things and not others for some reason He knows and we may never know.
2 Timothy 1:7… Thankful for a sound mind in Jesus. My mind is prone to wonder… Lord please keep my thoughts anchored in your truth!
Amen, Cassie! Thank you for sharing. “Oh, to Grace how great a debtor…” God is so very good. I am so very thankful. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – what a hymn. Thank you for reminding me of that, too. Are you familiar with it? Here it is: (I hope and pray it blesses you! )
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
The United Methodist Hymnal Number 400
Text: Robert Robinson, 1735-1790
Music: Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second
Tune: NETTLETON, Meter: 87.87 D
1. Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
3. O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
I needed to read this! I am transitioning from being a stay at home mom to working as a teacher after nine years at home with my girls. My fears and insecurities have robbed me of joy in this journey. I am grabbing hold of the promise, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Thank you for speaking truth into my life.