Comparison Trap
AMAZON TOP | ABERCROMBIE SIMILAR PANTS | AMAZON HEADBAND |
RED DRESS FLATFORMS | QUAY HIGH KEY MINI SUNGLASSES | NECKLACE IS SHOP IMAGINE
Right before I launched my blog, I started browsing through Instagram and looking at other bloggers. Looking at their pictures, their “content” a fancy word that most of us are like “Huh, what does that even mean?” Their blogs, how they had everything perfect, how many followers they had, and just anything and everything to help me learn what I wanted my blog to look like. After a few days of doing this I was overwhelmed and slightly depressed. It was honestly what held me back from launching it weeks ago. Comparison often times leads to criticism which we are typically own worst critic. While I was praying about comparison the Lord reminded me of one of my favorite woman in the Bible, Esther.
Let me give a small back story in case others may not know the story of Esther. The King in Persia at the time was King Xerxes. He commanded his wife Vashti to do something that she wasn’t willing to do, so he vanished her from his presence and was in search of a new queen. He called for a pageant all across the region of Persia to find a new Queen, and thats when Esther was brought to the palace. Esther was a Jew, but her uncle, Mordecai who raised her, told her to keep her nationality a secret due to racial tension. Esther was absolutely beautiful, but so were the other women that were brought to the palace. Esther had great favor with the king, and became Queen. After becoming Queen, Mordecai told her there was a plot against the Jews, to kill all Jews. She then had the boldness, strength, and wisdom to help save her people! There is so much more in this story, but the one thing the Lord brought to my attention was, what if Esther had compared herself to the other women? King Xerxes asked for the most beautiful women in the land! That would be extremely intimidating and they are all trying to win over the kings affection. What if she didn’t believe in who God called her to be? Esther knew her actions where going to help save her people. Mordecai said this to her
‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’
She knew that she was put in this position for such a time as this, and thats why she had great favor. She prayed, fasted, and even sent word to Mordecai for their people to do the same
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai; “Go gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I am my maid will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:15-16
Sure she was scared, had fears, and doubts, but I believe that she knew her mission was to help save her people. The King hadn’t called for her and the law stated that she could be put to death for approaching the King if he doesn’t extend the gold scepter. She could have not said anything and just thought about herself and saved herself, but instead she had faith in what she was suppose to do.
This blog isn’t about me trying to save my nation or the world, but if I can share something that I feel like the Lord has put inside of me, and not look to the right or the left but to Jesus, I know He can use this in a mighty way. Comparison can be poison to the gifts that God has put inside of you. Comparison can cause you to lose hope, and tell yourself your not good enough. If Esther would have compared herself to the other women, I am sure God would have still made a plan to save His people, but the story of Esther would have been totally different. What if your story is suppose to be like Esther’s where God uses you in a mighty way? He can only use you if you believe who He has called you to be, and if you stop comparing yourself to others. YOUR NOT LIKE OTHERS! You are uniquely made for a plan and purpose that He has called you too!
I am not perfect, but I have stopped looking at other bloggers hoping to be like them or hoping my blog is as good as theirs. I am just going to be me, and see how the Lord uses me!
-Morgan
