I’ve done it. You’ve done it too.
We are all guilty.
The comparison game is a beast. It quenches joy. Steals happiness. Robs contentment.
We compare ourselves relentlessly. From those pesky pounds that we can’t seem to shed or our hair color, to the car that we drive or the home that we daily seek to make a haven for our family, little about our lives that escapes comparison to others.
Today, I want to encourage you to find contentment right where you are. Right where you live. Right in this moment – with those pesky pounds, hair that you don’t think is pretty enough, a clunker car that somehow manages to get you from here to there and a house that might not be good enough, clean enough, decorated enough in your eyes.
If we lived back during Paul’s time, we wouldn’t have jealously compared our simple, quiet life to his life full of scorn, beatings and imprisonments. Yet still he wrote, “...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11 That’s grace and true contentment.
“In whatsoever state I am.” No matter where we are, what stage of life we are in, whatever trial we may be going through, one constant remains. The One who is the same – yesterday, today and forever.
Satisfaction in Him is our contentment. He is enough. He transcends extra pounds, hair color, clunker cars and insufficiently decorated homes. Jesus Christ is worthy of our praise for not only the forgiveness of sins, but also for every single aspect of our lives.
Hello, rubber – meet road.
*****
I am so very thankful to partner with (in)courage and DaySpring through The Relevant Conference home blogger sponsorship. I want to inspire you to praise Him in imperfection while blessing your home with joy, contentment and happiness {with a fun craft or DIY project thrown in here and there}.
Beginning tomorrow, I will be hosting the As For Me And My House Giveaway Week at The Casabella Project. I would love for you to come hang out with me! You will be inspired by beautiful DaySpring products and you might even win something!!
By Myra, My Blessed Life & The Casabella Project
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What’s In My Reader Today | I'm a Blog Reader… says
[…] Finding Contentment in Imperfection by Myra @ Incourage Me […]
Lisa H says
Our message at church yesterday was on suffering. Praising God during the suffering, bringing the suffering into church with us and not using church as a place to hide from it but rather a place to truly get into the suffering. Right along side others . Give it all to God so he can deal with it for us. So we realize we are not alone as we suffer. It was a very good message. Then 4 of our men (worship leader and 3 others) sang an awesome rendition of I will Praise You in this Storm before our communion meditation. He asked us to think of what it is we are suffering with right now, what is our ‘trial’ and bring it with us to the table and thank God during communion for whatever it was and bring our thoughts to him. No matter what our troubles are they will never be as bad as hanging on a cross for someone else! It was a wonderful Sunday morning service start to finish!
Myra says
Wow, Lisa! That sounds amazing!! What a wonderful thought.
Amy Hunt says
I want to live in this space of true *contentment*. I so much appreciate your reminder of that kind of freedom-living I can have, and what worship it is to our Father.
Rich blessings, Myra, as you continue to explore purpose in everything…
Susanne says
You’re so right! There’s more to life than what kind of car you drive (even if you don’t have one), what kind of house you live in (I live in an apartment and I love it), or even what kind of job you have. My husband works at a country inn and makes enough money to support both of us and I’m happy with that. We always will have exactly what we need because HE gives it to us, no more, no less.
Myra says
Thanks for your comment Susanne! Life is so full with Jesus! 🙂
E. Johnson says
Thanks Myra for that beautiful reminder – and just what I needed this very morning as I start into a difficult week.
Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE says
The comparison game is a killer; mainly because we’re just focusing on ourself rather than the Creator of our self :). So excited for you!!
Myra says
Yes, Robin. Yes. 🙂
Beth Williams says
Thanks for the reminder! I am constantly comparing myself to others – good or bad. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence – sometimes a little greener, with more stress & worse bosses.
I must must must learn to be content with & where God has planted me!
Thanks for the reminder!!!
Myra says
Beth, thanks for your comment! I’m convinced that there’s always something to wish for and this is a life-long battle that we’re in. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Cherry says
Thank you for these reminders … things we need to remind ourselves of often. Beautifully written!
kendal says
discontent. it dogs me at every turn….i wrote about it last week…http://kendalprivette.blogspot.com/2011/07/definition-1a.html
Melissa Brotherton says
Funny how we all deal with discontentment and comparison. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were able to rest in the truth that we all are dealing with something and no one is perfect? 🙂
Myra says
Yes, Melissa! I think if we indeed realized such truth, we wouldn’t constantly deal with the plague of discontentment.
Amanda says
Beautiful thoughts Myra! You gave me a new (and better!) outlook on my day!
Elaine Pool says
Well, you’ve gone and made me ashamed of myself! On day 11 of no air conditioning (in Louisiana) in 100 degree weather, you slapped me upside the head about being content in all circumstances. I promise I will do my best today to be content in ALL (hot) circumstances!
Myra says
Aww, Elaine! That would be tough to be content in your situation! I will pray that your AC will be fixed soon!!!
Angela De Souza says
You know when I found my contentment where I am I also found the gifts God put inside of me. It’s incredible to live in a place where all you have to do is be you and everything flows from there!
Larie says
I love to read the passages just after Paul says that he has learned to be content in whatever state he is in because it tells us HOW he learned it, “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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Pilippians 4:12-13 NIV
Paul has been without and he has had plenty, and because of God, he has been able to live contently in both situations! AWESOME!
smooches,
Larie
Janice says
Thank You for the encouragement today
Alexandra says
I’m growing in contentment too… and in learning not to covet what others have 🙂 I wrote a bit about it here http://whisperingsomething.blogspot.com/2011/07/thou-shalt-not-whaaat.html
julie moore says
I can’t tell you how much I needed this today. Were you reading my mind this weekend? I am struggling with weight and my hair! Thanks so much for reminding me that who I am is ok. I am a woman of God created to be who He wants me to be. When I keep my focus on Him I will be at peace and if I need to lose weight it will be done out of a peaceful nudging of the Holy Spirit not out of a compulsion to be like everyone else. Thanks I needed to hear your words given to you from the Lord.
Myra says
I love this: “I am a woman of God created to be who He wants me to be.” Lord, help us to remember this every hour, every minute of every day.
Barbie says
Thank you for this post. I have been somewhat discontent with my life these days. Always comparing myself to the homeschool mom, stay at home mom, beautiful homes that are decorated, beautiful landscaped yards. Thank you for helping me to realize that Christ is enough. He truly is. Lord, forgive me for yearning for the more, when you already have given it all to me!
Myra says
Blessings to you, Barbie!
Connie@Connie Nikiforoff Designs says
Wonderful post! This year’s been a bit of a struggle having broken my foot in January and just recently torn my rotator cuff very badly. I’ve been sidelined far too much 🙁 (It’s amazing how those two injuries can make you realize how we are wonderfully made by God as an “entire unit”. All parts work together and when one is on the fritz, they all suffer. As a result, I’ve had to learn to let some things go…even though my wonderful husband helps out at every turn as well as doing is own job…..and I’ve gained a whole new perspective on how a “handicap” affects one. But OK God, I’ve gotten the message. Can we be done with these teachings now? LOL! He’s got a plan….not sure what He wants to teach me, but thankfully it’s in His hands 🙂
Jill @ The Prairie Homestead says
Wow oh wow- did I ever need to hear this today! My sister and I were just talking about this subject this morning. It’s so easy to completely loose your perspective when you start to compare. Such a slippery slope! And for me, it also makes me incredibly ungrateful for the amazing blessings I truly DO have. Thanks so much for this!
When Your Enemy Tries To Destroy Self-Esteem | says
[…] just read a great post here Finding Contentment in Imperfection about comparing yourself to others. Unfortunately I find myself comparing my weight to other […]
Bridget says
I’m so glad I stumbled across this post. I wrote about the same thing last night!
And I love when it seems like God is patting me on the back and saying, “Alright, girl…you get it. Now quit writing about it and live it!” 🙂
the nester says
Well said, Myra, I can’t wait to see your pretty face at Relevant!
Myra says
Thank you Nester! 🙂 Can’t wait to see you too!
Felipe Neumann says
Nicely written!
Once we realize we are exactly who/where we were supposed to be, life gets so much lighter.
We have to empty our hands of false expectations, crazy aspirations that just won’t add anything to our lives and focus on what’s good, on what we have, for real – focus on what’s there to be taken rather than wishing we had more to take. That’s true happiness.
Kalyn says
About the time I start feeling good about myself, something inevitably present itself as a comparison issue and I fall deep into a depressive state.
Thanks for the reminder to be content with what God has given us!
M. Louise says
I just returned from spending the weekend working for a family who has 100 times more money than I could ever dream of having. I am a teacher and I often look for odd summer jobs to fill in the gaps. The funny thing is – I didn’t envy this family. They seemed so lost amidst their land of plenty. It seemed to overwhelm them. When I returned, exhausted, I was so thankful for my simple life. My simple supper. My simple home. I realized, through the simplicity of my life, I am able to worship God in a full way that may not be possible otherwise. I have plenty. In past years, I would have returned feeling jealous. I am so thankful for feeling grateful today.
Myra says
What an eye opening experience. Thank you for sharing!
Brittnie says
The comparison trap is easy to fall into and hard to climb out of. I mean really there is always something more to be had or to obtain to keep up with the Jones’. I fell into the comparison trap pretty bad a few years ago and it took me down a hard road… but I have emerged much stronger today!! God is so faithful! I now feel peaceful and confident that my beauty comes from Him alone and that He views ALL of us as His number one beauty queen!
Allison says
This is just what I need to hear today. Despite the blessings in my life I am constantly in the comparison trap. This has been a struggle of mine my entire life, which has become even more magnified ever since the social networking world came along. I love the verse you shared. Thank you!
Myra says
Blessings to you Allison! We are all in this life-long battle together. 🙂
Living the Balanced Life says
Great post. Perfectionism is so exhausting!
Bernice
Are you surrounded by perfect people?
Allison Huffstutler says
Thank you for sharing this today! Just what I needed to hear! I really struggle with perfectionism and have been asking for God’s peace as I am learning to let go of my perfectionist ways.
Daisy says
It’s hard not to compare.
I am a person with contentment. I can sit at home for days on end and not think of the next thing I want because someone else has it… but when it comes to comparing my life to others, that’s the trouble I get in to.
I am constantly renewing my mind to only think on the things of God and not things. It’s a struggle but I am working on it.