Day 5 – The Exchange: 21 Days of Spiritual Swaps

I’ve read about swapping comparison for contentment, many times.

In fact, at the beginning of this year, I made a great effort to stop comparing myself to other people. Instead, I decided to be thankful for my own life.

I bought a daily journal that led me through 90 days of gratitude, humility and contentment.

Yet, regardless of how much I tried, my mind seemed to steer back to comparison, again and again.

I would compare my parenting style, my shopping habits, my financial status, my body shape and how many friends I had. I would even compare my beliefs. I’m ashamed to say that I would often pull another person apart in my mind, getting mad at them for being a certain way, or doing a particular thing.

I was aware of how big this comparison thing was, but I couldn’t seem to stop it. I couldn’t shut it off.

Last month, however, I began a 20-day bible study by Havilah Cunnington called ‘Leap into Love.’ After completing this study, I discovered what lied at the root of my comparison habit. And I discovered that I could not trade comparison in for contentment, without first seeking God’s forgiveness.

You see, what lay at the root of my comparison, was offense with God. I had believed a lie that said I had been short-changed. I had believed that God had somehow created me to be less-than, or not as good as others.

In other words, I had not believed that God had created me to be beautiful. I hadn’t taken Him at His word when He said I was “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139: 14, ESV).I felt broken stood against other Christian women, and I had I nurtured offense at God for that fact.

Because I became a Christian aged 21, I felt like I would never be as good as older, Christian women, or those that had walked with Jesus for longer than I.

Life isn’t a competition, being a Christian isn’t a competition – yet, I was treating it as such.

Even though I have fed a comparison habit, believed many lies and taken offense at God – He is still gracious and just to forgive me.

The bible says:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

The truth is that Jesus died on a cross to take all of our sin away. He rose again to give us new and abundant life.

Grace is such a crazy, amazing thing that I can’t even get my head around. I have been comparing myself so much –  in great detail – for so long. Yet, just one ‘sorry’ and Jesus wipes my slate clean. Not only that, He gives me a wonderful future.

How amazing is grace?

Today, I want to challenge you to step into that amazing grace.

Maybe you need Jesus’ forgiveness today. Maybe you have a habit, like I did, that isn’t healthy for you. Something that doesn’t leave you feeling full of joy, but always leads you to feeling rubbish.

Find out what is at the root of that particular habit. You might need to pray about it, with a trusted pastor or friend.

But, hey – no matter how much of a mess you think you have made – there is freedom. You can come to Jesus, as you are, and ask Him to forgive you.

Your head may not quite fathom this amazing grace, but I assure you – it’s real.

Praying you encounter it today.

Action Points

• Whatever problem you are facing, ask God for forgiveness and take steps to fathom what is at the root of that habit you just can’t seem to escape.
• Rejoice in His amazing grace!