As a young person whom grew up with constant advances in technology, makeup techniques, rising standards of beauty within society, etc. it is so easy to compare. I feel like comparison has become so much apart of our everyday lives that we neglect to realize that it is even occurring.

Take social media for example, we spend so much time scrolling through Instagram, Twitter, ,and Pinterest seeing only the best parts of people's lives. We get an inside look into celebrity's "perfect" lives and are constantly bombarded with unrealistic images of these people that we can never live up to. How is that healthy? Well, the answer is simple. It is NOT healthy. Your Heavenly Father did NOT create you so that you could waste so much of your precious time here on Earth comparing yourself to others.

Genesis 1:27 "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

The same God who created the Heavens and Earth created YOU! He created you in His image, meaning that you are priceless and made wonderfully. I can't think of anyone I would rather be made in the image of than the all-powerful Jesus Christ! You should not compare yourself with people within this world, you were made by the most perfect being in all of creation and He thinks you are beautiful and worth dying for!

Galatians 6:4-5 "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each should carry their own load."

This verse is one that I need to put away for those days of feeling inadequate, when I am tempted to compare. Each of us are doing different thing, working towards different goals. Not one of us has the same path ahead of us; God has a plan specific to each of us! Thus, comparing ourselves to others and wishing we were where they are is only selling ourselves short, it is selling God short. Focus on what you are accomplishing and being grateful for exactly where you are at this moment in time.

Galatians 1:10 "Am I trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?"

From experience, I have learned that comparison plants insecurity, jealousy, and unhappiness. I have scrolled through social media and thought why aren't I as pretty as her? or why can't I afford to travel to exotic places like them? It is so easy to change the way you dress, or do your makeup, or the things that you read/watch on TV in order to fit in with people. We get so caught up in being trendy or liking what is popular that we forget what God tells us in scripture. Next time you are tempted to compare, stop for a moment. Think about whom you are trying to please, is it God? Your answer should always be yes.

We ALL struggle with comparison, but it doesn't have to be that way!I have NEVER become happier or more confident by comparing myself to other women and that was not God's intention when he created us. Some things I do when I am caught up in trying to please the people around me and trapped by comparison include: a social media cleanse, reading God's word and reminding myself who I am in His eyes, and talking to friends about it. There is a very good chance that one of your friends is struggling with the same things as you, you are never as alone as you think!