Step Out Of Comparison And Into Your Calling

Do you ever feel like you aren’t good enough to serve the Lord? Maybe you feel like you don’t know enough scripture or you feel like everyone around you has a “better” relationship with Jesus.

I think we all have moments in our lives where we feel unqualified to spread the good news of Jesus. We compare ourselves to others and how their walk with Christ looks on the outside. But when we start to realize that everyone’s walk with Christ looks different, we start to understand that comparison truly is the thief of joy. 

When I first gave my life to Christ, I fell into the trap of comparing my walk with Jesus to other peoples walks with Christ. I fell into a dark cycle of comparison. I felt as though everyone around me knew more about Jesus and lived out their faith in better ways than I did. I thought that maybe if I did everything they did then my relationship with Jesus would be strengthened. This led to me feeling worthless. I started to feel like I could never measure up to anything. I felt as though my faith was weak compared to those around me. 

When I started to truly grasp the idea that my identity was found in Christ, the comparison began to break off. I began to understand that my walk with Christ was different from others because I am a different person. While this sounds like a simple concept, it led me to realizing how we are each made with different gifts and strengths. God made each of us different from one another so that we can each be equipped to fulfill our calling. If each of our callings are different, then why would our lives look exactly the same? 

While I still find myself comparing myself to others at moments, I am now able to recognize these thoughts and stop myself from spiraling. When I start to compare myself to others I remind myself of the simple truth that I was fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Each of us was formed for a different calling. When we step out of comparison and into the truth of our identity being found in Christ, we can then step into our calling. 

A simple prayer that I use when I find myself comparing myself to others is based on three R’s. Repent, remind, and receive. 

Repent: 

⁃ First repent of your sins and your thoughts of comparison

Remind:

⁃ Remind yourself of your identity in Christ 

⁃ Remind yourself that you have a different calling

⁃ Remind yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of Christ

Receive: 

⁃ Ask the Lord for guidance and words of encouragement. 

⁃ Ask him to show you your gifts and how you are fearfully made. 

⁃ Sit in his presence and receive his words for you. 

When I use this simple prayer, I find myself stepping out of comparison and into my calling. Knowing your worth, identity, and purpose is found in Christ is a simple way to remind yourself to let go of comparison. So next time you find yourself stuck in a cycle of comparison, use the three R’s prayer and remind yourself that you were made to be different from others. Step into your calling and throw off comparison!