When Comparison Creeps Back In - Your Nightly Prayer - July 18th

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When Comparison Creeps Back In
Your Nightly Prayer
by Meg Bucher

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” - 2 Corinthians 10:12

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Tonight’s verse is yanked out of a passage about comparison. Paul was under scrutiny, but in response, he addressed the error in the litmus used against him. The basis upon which we form our opinions, of ourselves and of others, is important. We cannot just flippantly believe all of the incoming feedback we receive on a daily basis, from other people, ourselves, our social media algorithms, the news …We should look only to Jesus when searching the mirror for our true reflection.

Paul refused to judge himself by the standards the Corinthians were filtering his ministry through. Instead, he explained the importance of keeping the main thing the main thing …Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus gives us the ability to see with the proper perspective. The Word of God unravels the lies of jealousy, comparison, and envy, which so easily pollute our assessments of each other and ourselves.

The world is loud, especially in the quiet. We sit in a quiet place, with the sound off, and scroll through the opinions of the world. No one has to speak directly to us to tear us down anymore. It leaks through the phone we hold in our own hand and poisons our minds … and our lives. Everything else is still happening every day at work, school, parenting our kids, and in parenting circles… the never-ending chatter that fuels comparison. Never has discernment been more important. And the only way we develop it effectively is by knowing Jesus so well that we can spot what’s not Him.

Following Jesus can feel very lonely sometimes, when the Lord is shifting our perspective and pulling back improper filters we’ve been digesting information through. When what we are familiar with is busted up, life can feel a little alienating until we pivot toward the direction the Lord is leading us. This is a hard passage. We all struggle to see things through a godly perspective and want so badly to look around and find commonality in our callings. But the truth is, we are all so unique that even inside of similar callings, we each have a very specific purpose. Don’t get distracted. We must keep our focus on Jesus and allow Him to define who we are, continuing to mature us into people who bring glory to God with our lives.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
Help me when I struggle to focus on what you say is true about me, my calling, and my place in this world. There are many days when I feel out of place and ill-equipped to do what you have set before me. But I know, if you set it there, you have given me what I need to accomplish it and will walk with me through it. When I am lonely, remind me that I am not. You are here. And you will always place people around me. Remind me to pivot so that I notice what you are trying to show me. I want to be no one other than who you created me to be, God. Help me to live in a way that brings glory to you.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

How has comparison robbed you of the peace and joy of who you are in Christ?
What has God set before you to do in this season of your life …and today?
Meditate in conversation with God, tonight, about what He has set before you to do, and ask Him to reveal any envy, comparison, jealousy, doubt, pride, self-sabotage, or lies that you are entertaining. Commit to seeing yourself as He sees you.

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Delmaine Donson

Meg Bucher Meg is a graduate of Ashland University. She is a writer, author, editor, and digital content creator. She stepped away from her job in Internet Marketing in 2008 to raise her daughters, which gave her passion for writing a chance to shine through her blog, Sunny&80… Life within the Love of Christ. Meg has served as a Children’s Worship Team Leader and Middle School Leader for her local church. She founded and led the Breakfast Club Bible Study for Tweens, has served as a Young Life Leader and Committee Member, and led Women’s Bible Study. She has also volunteered as a content creator for her local church, studied Bible/Ministerial Training through Global University, completed COMPEL PRO Writers Training, and is Ethically AI Certified. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the team at Salem Web Network. You can find her entire library of books on her Amazon Author Page.

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