                                      
Today I am throwing down the gauntlet.
In medieval times, a glove was thrown down by one knight challenging the other. If the challenge was accepted, the opposing knight picked the glove, or gauntlet, up & the battle began. So here it is…..
Comparison.
The dictionary defines it as “the act of comparing; to examine to note the similarities & differences”. We compare because we want to know if we measure up to others.
I think, as women, we may be more prone than men to making comparisons. I quickly made a list of things that women like to compare:
- our own lives to those of other women
- how big or well decorated our homes may be
- how successful or large of a paycheck that our husbands bring home
- how successful or large of a paycheck we ourselves bring home
- how well behaved our children are
- how well our children perform in school
- our bodies
- our education
- our looks
- the areas in which we serve others
I think you get the point. We tend to do it often & in varied areas of our lives. Angela Thomas, in her study “Beautiful Offering”, worded the act of comparing as a – “web of comparison”. Is that not exactly what it is? A web is formed by weaving & interweaving. Comparing will weave & interweave in our minds until we find ourselves doing it constantly. It will become second nature to us. A web will not only envelop, it will ensnare & entrap. Making comparisons will take over our lives and this is what happen —- we become entrapped causing insecurities to rise up in our own lives. We will become stuck right there in that moment, in that feeling.
The result of constantly comparing is that we grow into unproductive, complaining, & ungrateful woman. OUCH! This is the web that comparison will weave. We no longer see that we each have different gifts & talents & callings & celebrate that in each other. We no longer work at doing what we are meant to do in our lives. We no longer praise & thank God for all that He has done in our lives. The irony of comparison is that while we get stuck in that web, it also escalates in our lives. It festers & develops & spills out onto other areas of our lives.
In 2 Corinthians 10:12, Paul tells us:
“We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”
Plainly put—- Comparison is unwise. Instead:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author & perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV) & run the race that has been set out for each one of us.
Today may we embrace the life that God has given to each one of us. May we embrace & be grateful for where we are today. May we not miss the blessings that are already in our lives.
So today I am throwing down the gauntlet. ……
                            Let’s go through the day free of comparisons!
Are you up for the challenge?
