COMPARISON- STOPPING NEGATIVE THOUGHTS

STOP THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS- COMPARISON and failure to live up to the perfect life

Have you ever been aimlessly scrolling through your social media feed, the news, or watching a video, when all of a sudden it dawns on you that you will never have the ‘perfect’ life? This seems to be happening to me more and more and I have come to one conclusion: as I get older, and as I place more emphasis on what my ‘followers’ think about me.

Just yesterday, I was scrolling through Instagram, when all of a sudden, I stopped dead in my tracks. I’ve been attempting to be more aware of my thoughts and my triggers towards certain responses, especially when they pertain to self-destructive behaviors. I found myself in a coma of negative emotions- towards my body, my friends, and my overall life. It’s always enticing to see what someone else is doing, where they are going, or what their opinion is, but the simple truth is: IT DOESN’T EVEN MATTER. Say it with me folks, IT DOESN’T MATTER!! What someone else is doing should have no effect on what you do, where you go, or what your opinion is. YEE HAW! AMEN! HALLELUJAH!

Of course, this is easier said than done, so let’s look at some examples of destructive behavior and let us discuss why it shouldn’t affect your life.

Exhibit A: You have a friend and her name is Karen. She is constantly posting beautiful pictures with her husband/boyfriend and all of the wonderful adventures they go on. You always see her posts while you’re working your 9-5 and then you go home to an empty house. Your destructive thoughts may be something like “I wish I could just have a day off” “I wish someone would look at me like that” “I wish I wasn’t so lonely” “I wish I had enough money to travel” etc. You get the point.

These thoughts are useless and add 0 value to your life or your existence.It isn’t Patricia who is the issue- it’s you. Patricia is simply living her best life with her hubby and you are upset because you didn’t choose that life. Stop filling your head with superfluous BS (as my dad would say). If you constantly find yourself comparing your life to someone else’s, realize that there is something inside of you that isn’t getting filled. The issue really isn’t the other person, it’s you. We all struggle, and Patricia may be battling depression or anxiety, but you would never know because she only posts when she appears to be on the mountain top. SO, stop worrying about Patricia, and start worrying about yourself.

What is happening in your life, what areas of your heart do you need to search? Is it with relationships, friendships, jealousy, anger, resentment, regret, refusal to ask for forgiveness? What parts of your mind, body, and soul do you need to hand over to God? For me, I know that comparison is something that I continuously struggle with. Take it to God continually and trust that He will handle it.

Here are three bible verses for when you struggle with comparison

1. Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

2. Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else”

3. Romans 12:6- 8 (NIV)

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love you all!!

Authentically,

Ali