Hi friends,
Happy to be back with you this week! Today I’m talking about an area that I’ve struggled with over the years and maybe you have too. As writers it’s so easy to fall into the comparison trap. I’m a sloooowww writer, and I have writer friends who can write a book in six weeks. Six weeks! It takes me that long just to get about a fourth of my raw draft done. And, when I say raw, I mean raw. I struggle with wanting to write faster, to be able to give my readers more books to read, but God hasn’t made me that way. He’s created me to write at a slower pace than many, and I need to trust Him. Trust His timing. Trust His plan for my writing and for my life. But that’s often easier said than done.
There are a vast array of areas where writers can fall into that comparison trap—wanting more sales, wanting to hit a bestseller list, wanting to win an award…the list goes on.
Outside of writing, there are tons of ways we can start comparing too. The car our neighbor drives, how skinny someone else is, how in shape someone is, the size of the house someone else has. So many things we can compare, but should we be comparing?
What does Scripture say about us comparing? About us being disconnected with what we’ve been given? Or envying what someone else has? In the Ten Commandments, God says:
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
~Exodus 20:17
When we compare our lot to others and yearn for more, we can sink into the trap of striving to win human approval.
“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.”
~Galatians 1:10
Rather than comparing, we are to be content in Christ. It isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be downright hard to not look outside and compare what others have to what God has given us. But God knows and provides exactly what we need.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
~Psalm 23:1
Last but not least, God created and called us to specific work. His way is perfect. When I start to fall into that comparison trap, I have to remind myself over and over (I’m a slow learner as well) that He has a plan for me and it’s perfect.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
~ Ephesians 2:10
Question for you:
What good work has Christ called you to do? What is one area He’s gifted you in?
Blessings,
Dani
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I have found writing more and more fun and I think God calls me through making a thing feel fun for me.
That’s awesome!
Great thoughts, Dani. I’ve struggled with this, too. I still do occasionally. But, hey, the next time you feel like a slow writer, compare yourself to me and my one-chapter-a-week pace. You’ll feel better about yourself in no time. 🙂
Lol! You’re sweet. What amazes me is how you write each chapter and it’s done. I’m the queen of one hundred drafts 🤦♀️
I think God had given me brain which only focuses on art, science, and fiction. I know it’s very early to judge the work I did uptil now, as I’m just 20. I need to practice more to achieve the pro level of knowledge. So it’s true that we has to compare ourselves on the basis of knowledge we have right now🙂
Excellent point! Thanks so much for sharing.
Such an encouraging post! Thanks, Dani. 🙂
Aww. Glad you found it encouraging 💕
Such a great reminder! I struggle with this all the time–especially when it comes to writing!
Thanks so much for sharing. It is so hard and I still struggle with it. I think we all do at times.
Comparison can be a project killer! I can compare to those that have been doing a skill a lot longer than I have, and then be discouraged. Social media plays into that well since I generally see the final already perfected products! Going back to God’s word is the best remedy for comparison. Thanks for sharing His truths!