When You're Comparing Your Life Again - Your Nightly Prayer - September 26th
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Sophia Bricker, Crosswalk.com
When You’re Comparing Your Life Again
Your Nightly Prayer
By Sophia Bricker
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." - Galatians 6:4
SOMETHING TO PONDER
During a summer in college, I watched as others posted about their fun vacations and trips to faraway places. Peers were enjoying themselves and seeing new sights while I had to sit on the sidelines of life, unable to participate because sickness had struck. I often noted how the lives of others seemed to continue seamlessly while my own had been interrupted with trips to the doctor, iron infusions, and a surgery. I was weary of the constant reminders on social media that tempted me to compare and fall into unnecessary jealousy. The summer – and generally my life – had not turned out as I expected.
My experience is not uncommon; many people encounter roadblocks in life, whether due to family issues, illness, loss, financial concerns, or major life changes. The futures we often imagine for ourselves, and attempt to make goals for, sometimes do not materialize, or do not end up as we hoped. Social media usually makes these times of realization harder because we have an endless number of people with whom to compare ourselves. In the ocean of seemingly thriving individuals with abundant lives, we feel unseen, unimportant, and left behind.
Yet, we were never meant to hold up our experiences to the reels of others (after all, they are just highlights). Scripture tells us that we should not compare ourselves to those around us, but to test our own actions. We should stay focused on what God is doing in and through us, evaluating our growth according to where we have been and where we are going in our Christian walk. Just because the season we are in might not include glamorous reels and Instagram-worthy snapshots does not mean God has forgotten about us, or that we are unloved and unseen. The Lord is working, even in the unappealing times of illness and loss. Like Hagar, who felt helpless and voiceless in her situation, we must remember that God notices us. He is El Roi, the God who sees (Genesis 16:13).
Perhaps the best thing we can do when the temptation to play the comparison game arises is to turn off the phone or device, place social media on hold for a while, and sit with the Lord in the jumble of our feelings. He knows about the pain we are feeling, the grief that comes with dashed dreams and plans. Our Lord is even able to use those areas to bring restored hope.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord, You are the God who sees me, just as You saw Hagar when she fled from mistreatment at the hands of Sarah. You saw her and cared, even when no one else noticed. Help me to be more aware of Your presence in this season, for I know You are always with me. Turn my heart away from the desire to compare, so I stop believing the lie that others have carefree lives that are unbothered by the shadow of pain or loss. Everyone has their own struggles and areas to grow, so help me to take time to assess the areas where you are working in my life, even in this hardship. And enable me to celebrate what You have accomplished while also recalibrating my actions and thoughts to align more with Your Word. Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. The area of your life that feels most unnoticed by others. What image or symbol might remind you that God sees this part of your life, and all areas? For example, a painting you admire or a specific location. Hagar named the well in the wilderness based on her encounter with the Lord (Genesis 16:14).
2. Three things for which you are grateful right now, regardless of the hardships or hurts you are facing. Giving thanks in every circumstance can renew your perspective of events (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
3. A jigsaw puzzle. Alone, the pieces show only a tiny glimpse of the picture, but together the parts form the whole of the image. How can viewing your current season of life as only a piece of the puzzle help you refocus on what God is doing and to trust Him in the process?
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Jae Park
Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.
Now that you've prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below!
