I forgot what it was like to live under the burden of expectations. The countless number of ways to live, love, and motherhood also means countless voices telling you what to do, when, how, and where.
To the point where the choices are overwhelming. Food, housing, clothing, appearance, free time, creative pursuits, ministry, friendships, child-rearing philosophies, books, travel…so many options, so many “right ways”, so much confusion.
But God always has something that speaks to our unique situations. The following bible verses about comparing ourselves to others are ideal for anyone trying to keep up with the comparison game, but especially mothers and wives who may believe that they are letting down their family.
Bible Verses About Comparison
2 Corinthians 10:12
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 6:4
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Matthew 7:1
“Judge not, that you be not judged.
1 Corinthians 4:7
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Matthew 7:2
For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure, you use it will be measured to you.
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
I’m Stepping Out Of The Comparision Game
American Woman, I tip my hat to you.
The American lifestyle has opened my eyes to how challenging it is to be a woman in America.
I’ve floundered a bit, trying to gain my footing – how to shop for clothes, how much milk should cost, where to get a haircut. And wherever I look for inspiration, I also immediately find ways to feel not enough.
When I spend more than X number of dollars at the grocery store on our weekly food, I feel like I should be able to do better than that. Look at all the money-saving strategies on Pinterest!
When I choose to buy regular milk instead of organic milk to save $4 and come in under my budget, I feel guilty for buying “dirty milk” to feed my child.
When I skip the make-up in the morning and barely manage to tame my hair, I chide myself and think, I should care more about my looks; “they” say I’m worth it.
Even though sleeping 5 more minutes is a lot more important to me than whether my face is pretty.
When I haven’t exercised in months and struggle to read the Bible every day, I feel ashamed that I can’t manage a simple task that so many women have figured out – I just need to try harder.
When my house is dusted with crumbs and the bathroom hasn’t been cleaned in two weeks and the laundry is overflowing, I bite my lip and look around, thinking, If I only had a cleaning schedule, I could get my act together – despite the fact that I just worked 9 hours and barely have enough energy to feed the baby and put us both to bed.
When I still haven’t finished painting the half-renovated kitchen or replaced the pink wingback chair we borrowed from Grandma’s basement three months ago, visiting a friend’s well-decorated home is more an act of self-immolation than inspiration.
But the underlying theme in all these scenarios is comparison. I look at other women and think they have figured it all out, and if I follow in their footsteps, I can figure it out, too. But guess what? My life is different. My priorities are different.
Let’s be honest – appearance is just not that important to me. Being a mom and living in testing conditions have broken me of the need to always look fabulous because I never looked fabulous. Humidity and lack of electricity will do that to you. Did you know I never owned a hairdryer for more than five years?
And cleaning? After living in a home with windows open all the time, geckos that pooped (and died) everywhere, and ants that invaded every space. So what if I don’t dust religiously or keep to a schedule? I’ll clean when I notice it’s dirty, and save my energies for other more enjoyable tasks.
I have learned to buy the food I feel is right for our family. Sometimes organic, sometimes not; mostly whole foods, but a processed treat once in a while won’t kill us. I even bought Girl Scout cookies last week. It just seemed like the patriotic thing to do.
I probably won’t ever be able to boast of buying all our groceries for $50 a week or stick to a 100% organic diet. But God has given us the money and time to buy food that nourishes our bodies and our souls, and I’m thankful for that.
I’m learning to uncover the life that is right for us – always pursuing Jesus first, giving each other grace when we fail (which is often), and loving others well. Realizing those are my true priorities also allows me to see everything else as nonessential and secondary.
I can intentionally step out of the comparison game and live the life God has given me, not fighting to live the life he has given someone else.
Do you know of any other “bible verses about comparison” that have helped you to stop comparing yourself with others? How have you stepped out of the comparison game? Do you ever struggle with figuring out the life you’re supposed to live? Leave your comment below.
