Many are choosing “one word” to focus on in the new year and I’ve been prayerfully searching for what God might want mine to be. Oddly enough, I feel Him drawing my focus over and over to the word “compare.” At first glance, compare didn’t seem like a very inspiring choice to me. After all, don’t most of us want to quit comparing?

But then I was reminded that this verb has both a good side and a bad side. I know I often focus too much time and energy to comparing my life to others and I forget that God calls me to the “good side” of comparison.

Consider Paul’s words …

“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ …” -Phil. 3:7-8 (NIV)

I had to also include the Message’s version (plus vs. 9) – so colorful!

“The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.” Philippians 3:7-9 (MSG)

I have the bad habit of comparing my life to others’ lives—both in the good and bad. For example …

• If “they” (whoever “they” are??) have more, I feel envious.
• If they have less, I feel guilty.
• If they aren’t giving me what I feel I need (or am entitled to), I feel insecure, frustrated or even indignant.
• If it appears I’m doing more “godly stuff” than they are, then I feel superior.
• If it seems I’m not sinning as much, I feel self-righteous.
• If it seems I’m sinning much more, I feel shameful and hopeless.

You can see the slippery slope of comparison and its quick downward slide to despair here, can’t you?

So this year, whenever I feel the temptation to negatively compare, I’m committing to shift from an other- or self-centered comparison to …

• Comparing my life to Christ’s, so I can recognize His purity compared to my sinful heart.
• Comparing the “godly stuff” I do to the humble act of sacrifice and redemption He did on the cross for me {and you}.
  
• Comparing the hurts and losses caused by others in my life to His rich, deep and unconditional love for me {and you}.
• Comparing my hopeless and challenging circumstances to the power of Christ and His desire and ability to deliver me {and you}.

Some of you know that I’m facing radiation for the next six and a half weeks for my recently diagnosed breast cancer. I’d appreciate your prayers in this journey. I’d also like you to know that I’m going to try to stay connected through comments here and at other’s blogs, but I’m not sure how much energy or time I’ll have to keep up my typical pace.

I will also be continuing in my series on Forgiveness soon, so keep coming back around for more thoughts on that important topic!

What is one word you want to focus on this year, and why?

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Joining with  Works for Me Wednesday, To Love Honor and Vacuum, Whimsical Wednesday and Wholehearted Wednesday

And we’re back for Wedded Wednesday in 2014!

WW rules:

Write in any way you feel inspired about marriage, parenthood or anything that is spiritually encouraging.

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