Wish I May, Wish I Might

"Oh, I wish I could be her."

"Why do they always have it so together?" 

"They have such rock-solid faith. Why am I always struggling?"

"I wish I could be skinnier/prettier/a better mom/etc..."

"How do they do it?"

"Why am I not like them?" 

How many times have you heard someone ask one of those questions, or all of them?
How many times have you asked those questions?
How many times do you ask those questions now?

Folks, especially to my ladies my age, we have to stop comparing! Comparison is such a trap and a thief! Even if you don't mean it, the fact that you post about it, daydream about it, etc, means that you're already thinking you're not good enough. And that is such a lie.

The way I see it, the truth is twofold:

1. We think that someone else always has it "more together" than we do. The truth is that we all struggle. The truth is that we're all, to a degree, floating around accidental-like. Nobody has everything 100% figured out all the time (And if they do, I think they're lying).  When you set false standards and comparisons for yourself, you will always, always be disappointed, because to you, you'll never be able to measure up.
2. We were not designed or created to be somebody that we're not. We were designed to be 100%, uniquely us. You. You and no one else. 

I really like what Scripture has to say about this particular topic. 

For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

-Psalm 139:13-15

This might be a bit of a harsh statement, but I genuinely believe that this is something the Lord has taught me during my own struggles: I believe that when we get caught up in wishing that there was something different about us, when we're filling our minds with all sorts of negative self-talk about not being *blank* enough, then we're telling God, our Creator, "I don't like how You created me, God. You didn't do this right." 

Sounds harsh, right? But just think about it for a moment. 

I want to challenge those who are dealing with these sorts of things, to just take those crappy thoughts and desires about wanting to be better, prettier, skinnier, a better whatever, and turn them back over to God as praises for how He has created us! God has created you to be just that: You. He loves You just the way that you are, nothing more, nothing less. And let's face it...don't you just get tired of it after a while? We're our own worst critics. Let's fill our minds and spaces with positive, encouraging thoughts and let's kick the devil out.

I think if, as Christians, we're called to love others...we have to love ourselves too!

So listen: You're doing a good job! You're worth it! You're enough! You're special, and you're cherished.