Friends, we live in a world where self-love is perpetuated in various forms of media. We may feel pressured to live up to other people’s expectations or accomplishments as the world around us attempts to define us.
Social media, entertainment, and peer pressure can determine our view of life if we allow these attitudes to penetrate our minds.
If we use the measuring stick of comparison.
Voices such as “I’m not good enough,” “I don’t measure up,” or “I never do anything right” have often tormented my thoughts.
But The Lord revealed to me through His Word that when we view other people through the rose-colored glasses of perfection while examining ourselves through a microscope that magnifies every fault, we are not behaving wisely.
“We do not have the audacity to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with some who [supply testimonials to] commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack wisdom and behave like fools” (2 Co 10:12 AMP).
Beloved friends, when we focus on self to the point of comparing our lives with another person, we are saying we want to become like they are.
The world’s method of personal improvement conveys selfishness, because the goal is to make oneself better so others will approve.
God wants us to respect ourselves, but we should use His guidelines and not societal and cultural attitudes. When we learn to regard ourselves biblically, we also receive the ability to accept others in an unselfish way.
The Almighty doesn’t compare us to other people. So why should we? Why would we place life’s value on another fallen soul’s standards when we have our heavenly Father’s perfect eyes that see us through the lens of the blood of Jesus?
We are each unique and created with a plan from our Creator. When we live in an unworthy mindset, we do not regard the power of the sacrifice of Christ.
Jesus gave us an inheritance. The gifts He put inside us are for us to use to expand His kingdom and do His works. But we can’t do this if our thoughts are on defeat and unworthiness.
We also don’t want to allow our past to define us. Our Lord tells us He has restored the years the locust has eaten (Jl 2:25). That old life is gone, and our present life and future are bright and victorious through Christ.
“By living in God, love has been brought to its full expression in us so that we may fearlessly face the day of judgment, because all that Jesus now is, so are we in this world” (1 Jn 4:17).
In this world, we are as He says we are.
The reflection of a mirror shows us what we need to know about our appearance. We find out if our hair is combed or if our clothes are straight.
Likewise, The Bible shows us God’s viewpoint. We can look through His mirror, which is His Word. This living letter reflects who we are in Christ when we have been born again.
We are not who the world says we are. We are not who a confused mind tells us we are. We are not our past. We are who our Father says we are. We love the person He made us to be by agreeing with what His Word says.
So, here are five points to consider:
God sees us as righteous: “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him” (2 Co 5:21TPT).
God sees us as holy: “For He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose]” (2 Ti 1:9a AMP).
God sees us as His children: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 Jn 3:1 NKJV).
God sees us as pure: “All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 Jn 3:3 NKJV).
God sees us as heirs: “So as a gift of his love, and since we are faultless—innocent before his face—we can now become heirs of all things, all because of an overflowing hope of eternal life” (Ti 3:7 TPT).
Precious sisters, when the King of the universe elevates us to queenly status, what other opinion matters? The One who was willing to sacrifice Himself for us tells us that we are more valuable to Him than anything else (Mt 10:31).
He adores us so much He made us to be like Him.
When our Father looks at us, He sees the perfect Spirit of Christ Who dwells in our hearts, not our soulish or physical flaws.
When we diminish the desire to be like another person and replace that attitude with the longing to be like Christ, we will live in biblical self-love.
Barbara Latta is a true southerner and is transplanted from Arkansas to Georgia. She writes a monthly column in her local newspaper, contributes to devotional websites and has stories in several anthologies. She is the author of God’s Maps, Stories of Inspiration and Direction for Motorcycle Riders. She enjoys traveling with her Harley-riding prince on his motorcycle, taking in the creativity of nature. Drinking coffee on the patio while the sun comes up is her favorite time of day. Barbara shares about walking in grace and thriving in hope on her blog, Navigating Life’s Curves. She cherishes her role in life as a wife, a mom to two grown sons, and Mimi to one granddaughter.
This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.
I, like many others, sometimes suffer from the “comparison” syndrome. While we should try to emulate Christian role models that inspire us, that isn’t the same as comparing ourselves to them. We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14) for God’s purpose so, as you point out, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others. Yours is a message of wisdom and hope. Thank you, Barbara.
I think we all fall into this trap sometimes because it is a symptom of the human condition, but you are right in that we shouldn’t succumb to it. The verse in Psalms you shared is the reason we are made and God made each of us as individuals. This scripture shows us how we are all precious to Him. Thank you for sharing, Katherine. Blessings!
Barbara, what an important topic your post addresses. This is one part that spoke to me: “We can look through His mirror, which is His Word. This living letter reflects who we are in Christ when we have been born again.” Thank
you for reminding us to meditate on what God says rather than our own mind or the world. He transforms our thoughts as we study and pray.
Jeannie, aren’t we glad we have a mirror that reflects God’s character to us instead of our own flesh? He does transform our thoughts as we study and pray and this helps us to see ourselves as He sees us. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
Barbara, thank you for sharing a much-needed message and powerful Scripture. I especially appreciate this part: “ We can look through His mirror, which is His Word. This living letter reflects who we are in Christ when we have been born again. ”