One study that has stuck with me was Brave: Honest Questions Women Ask by Angela Thomas. While I related with her over many topics, she touched on identity as a daughter of God and on comparing oneself to others.
This is something that I have struggled with for a long time paired with insecurity, I just want to see how life, parenting and relationship with God looks in other women, and I forget that God has created me uniquely and we all have our own gifts and roles in the body. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (Also see 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about spiritual gifts and body working together)
Angela says on page 9 “Maybe some women are more organized. Maybe some live inside stronger bodies. But the truth is that no superwomen exist on this earth. We each have been created by God, fully human and walking around with human needs and human frailties.” My strengths will look different than yours, my weaknesses will too, but I may not even notice what’s weak about you. But I need to remember what Paul wrote to the Philippians “My God will supply all your needs according to HIs riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Also, I have to remember that God is glorified when he works through my weakness. “ “ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in my weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I will never be content if I am always striving to be like someone else. But God wants me to be content like Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:11-13 “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” I should remember “[I am] God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [me] to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)” And that I should “ Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4 (NLT)”
God has called me “more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 3:15) more than a conqueror with Christ (Romans 8:37) so with his help I can conquer comparisons. He also declares me chosen and royal. (1 Peter 2:9)
I must seek to align myself and purpose with what God says about me and his desires. I am a co heir with Christ (Romans 8:17) and I am chosen and called to produce fruit. (John 15:16) I don’t want to devalue who God has made me and that he claims in Psalm 139 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Comparison for me is rooted in desire for approval and validation. But I must seek that from God, because He is the only one who can fully meet that need. God has called me to be his disciple and he talks about that cost. “ Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34) Deny self from the greek lose self, die to self, forget self. So I must be wrapped up in him and his vision. The thing that he stressed most was to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… and teaching them to obey everything he has commanded us.” And then the promise that I should cling to above all else “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
About the Blogger: My name is Brandi Kosiner and I stay at home with my two girls (ages 3 and 6) and am married for 8 years to husband Allan. I am the infant room coach and go to church at Hope Community church for about a year and a half and also have been attending bible study at HSUMC for over three years.
This is something that I have struggled with for a long time paired with insecurity, I just want to see how life, parenting and relationship with God looks in other women, and I forget that God has created me uniquely and we all have our own gifts and roles in the body. 1 Corinthians 7:17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (Also see 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul talks about spiritual gifts and body working together)
Angela says on page 9 “Maybe some women are more organized. Maybe some live inside stronger bodies. But the truth is that no superwomen exist on this earth. We each have been created by God, fully human and walking around with human needs and human frailties.” My strengths will look different than yours, my weaknesses will too, but I may not even notice what’s weak about you. But I need to remember what Paul wrote to the Philippians “My God will supply all your needs according to HIs riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Also, I have to remember that God is glorified when he works through my weakness. “ “ My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in my weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
I will never be content if I am always striving to be like someone else. But God wants me to be content like Paul speaks about in Philippians 4:11-13 “For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” I should remember “[I am] God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for [me] to do. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)” And that I should “ Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4 (NLT)”
God has called me “more precious than jewels” (Proverbs 3:15) more than a conqueror with Christ (Romans 8:37) so with his help I can conquer comparisons. He also declares me chosen and royal. (1 Peter 2:9)
I must seek to align myself and purpose with what God says about me and his desires. I am a co heir with Christ (Romans 8:17) and I am chosen and called to produce fruit. (John 15:16) I don’t want to devalue who God has made me and that he claims in Psalm 139 “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Comparison for me is rooted in desire for approval and validation. But I must seek that from God, because He is the only one who can fully meet that need. God has called me to be his disciple and he talks about that cost. “ Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34) Deny self from the greek lose self, die to self, forget self. So I must be wrapped up in him and his vision. The thing that he stressed most was to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… and teaching them to obey everything he has commanded us.” And then the promise that I should cling to above all else “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
About the Blogger: My name is Brandi Kosiner and I stay at home with my two girls (ages 3 and 6) and am married for 8 years to husband Allan. I am the infant room coach and go to church at Hope Community church for about a year and a half and also have been attending bible study at HSUMC for over three years.