Usually people compare themselves to others by wishing they looked more beautiful, slimmer or were as famous as someone. If you know me, I'm sure you've heard me mention Ashley Graham. My interest in her is, at times, slightly ridiculous. I aspire to be very similar to her; fit, stunningly beautiful, a groundbreaking model. [crazy, right?] Not exactly, the devil and the media tend to work closely together when it comes to comparison. However, its a trap. Comparison traps you and makes you feel like you aren't quite measuring up. If the truth be told....you're NOT. You are not measuring up because you are not called to be them....you are called to be YOU. You were not created by the Master of the universe to be like anyone other than yourself. You were specifically created by the King of Kings, so embrace it! As my dear friend T-Ball would say, "if you're so busy trying to be someone else, then who is going to be you." I love this quote so much. If I spend all my time trying to do and be like someone else, who will do and be like Brittany Nicole Akridge? Measuring yourself based on someone else, especially only from outward appearance will get you nowhere in life.
Everyone has the person(s) they would like to resemble or look like, but it is important for us to remember we are who God made us. However, don't get it twisted. God calls us to take care of the body that he has provided for us. So if you are living an unhealthy lifestyle, obviously change needs to take place. Change is difficult, but its great to see progression in yourself. By making positive changes in yourself, you will be less likely to compare yourself to others and more likely to compare your old self to your new self, which is a little thing I like to call MOTIVATION. Ezekiel 16:13-14, discusses beauty. It tells us that beauty is made perfect by God's glory and that his character in you and His opinion of you is where true beauty lies. When we are fully aware of how precious we are in the eyes of Jesus, we won't need to compare ourselves to others anymore. So accept yourself and listen to God's opinion of you.
When comparing yourself now to yourself two and a half years ago, what do you notice? Are you more positive? Have you matured or grown? Are you healthier? If you focus on God and bettering yourself, comparing yourselves to others becomes less of a struggle. These past few years have been such an incredible journey. I am so very blessed with the feelings of joy and strength. Feelings that only a Savior can provide. God has allowed me to flourish. He has thrust upon me His unconditional love, His grace, His positivity and strength. He has encouraged me and been my Rock in times that I have felt terrible about myself and my body. Instead of comparing myself to others, I am comparing myself to God. I want to be so in love and much like Him that people see it wherever I go with all that I do. Comparison can take so much away from you, but by comparing yourself to the Most High, you gain so much.
