The Cure for My Ugly

I don't think comparing myself to others is always wrong.  It can inspire me to pursue maturity, in my character and in my abilities.  But I have to ask myself what's driving the comparison, and where is it leading me?

What I don't want to do is compare myself to others out of my insecurities.  This opens me up to envy and shame.  It leads me to wrongly judge myself and others, which is where it gets really destructive!

My perceptions of people can be exaggerated or even completely wrong.  I witness a moment in a person's life, or see a photo on Facebook, and let my assumptions fill in all the unknowns about that person.  Many times I compare myself to someone who's not even real!

I may choose to criticize them in a sad attempt to make myself feel better.  Or I will put them up on a pedestal, and let shame take over...believe I'm a failure.  It's not right, and the result is not good. 

So this is what I am going to do, by the grace of God...

I am going to take my thoughts captive.

I am going to hold them into the light of the Truth...Jesus.  I need Him to expose sin and insecurities.  Am I jealous? proud? selfish?  Do I need to grow?  I can handle the ugly truth about myself, because I know what to do with it.  I know the cure for my ugly.

I will repent.  He died to forgive me of my sins and to cleanse me.  Make me new.  Sin brings death and destruction.  God only kills the evil in me, and then breathes life into my being.  Life abundantly.

I will choose to be content with who God has made me!  Be satisfied in Him and the work He has chosen for me.  Joy is found there.  I can be truly beautiful there. 

I won't make assumptions about others...I will just love them.  What freedom!

 (Photo by Witthaya Phonsawat)