Peace Over Comparison
- Mia Giesler
- Jul 30
- 5 min read
“When we turn our eyes to Jesus and find rest in Him and the sovereignty of God over our lives, that’s when we find peace.”
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ” - Colossians 3:15
Comparison. What a thief it can be. We as women are hardwired to struggle with comparison one way or another at some point in our lives. And boy it can really steal and destroy the joy and life God has for us. Personally I’m one who has struggled with it my whole life. I was 6’1” by the time I was 15, literally head and shoulders taller than all the girls and most of the guys through school. I was constantly comparing myself to the other girls who were smaller, more petite, cute while I felt big and clunky and had to buy jeans from a specialty catalog. I’ve also always had a big + quirky personality that left me feeling like I didn’t belong or that I was “too much” for people. And I have always been known for being a talker with far too much to say. With all of these traits I’ve just wanted to be smaller and quieter and understood.
And now in motherhood the comparison game just hits a whole new level. These days I find myself comparing my motherhood journey with a very loveable, loud, rambunctious, “wants to run everywhere” two year old little boy to all the other toddler moms around me. Their kiddos are stationary and quiet and play in one spot for longer than 30 seconds. I struggle feeling like I’m not doing enough as a mom to set boundaries better or be more consistent with behavior correction or that our home environment is too loud so when we go out my son constantly wants to test his lung capacity. But here’s the thing with comparison, when we wish away what God has given us or how He’s designed us it’s almost like slapping God in the face and telling Him He was wrong.
He wasn’t wrong.
I get it, it’s SO easy to look at the highlight reel of other people’s lives after being so critical of our worst takes and wish for different. We end up being discontent with the life God has provided for us. But when we turn our eyes to Jesus and find rest in Him and the sovereignty of God over our lives, that’s when we find peace. We find the purpose that God designed for us. And that purpose is His glory.
This week we’ll unpack more of that but looking at how we combat comparison we turn to Colossians 3:15 where Paul instructs us to do TWO things: 1) let the peace of Christ rule our hearts and 2) to be thankful. The word “rule” in this verse is the Greek word brabeuo which is only used this one time in all of scripture and it means “to determine, to control, or to be an umpire”.
My family grew up on softball fields and it is a well known fact that as hard as any player can play, the reality is that the games are called and often determined by the umpire. Many games have been won and lost on the call of an ump. That’s the power their authority carries. Paul writes that we are to let the Peace of Jesus determine the calls, the outcomes in our hearts (“kardia”= will or character, understanding, the center of all physical + spiritual life). Not our wants or wishes. When we let that peace rule us we find contentment in Jesus and subsequently our lives. Paul then instructs us to be thankful which he writes multiple times in each of his letters.
When you have a thankful heart there’s no room for jealousy or envy or bitterness or shame. Having a thankful heart helps us keep our eyes on Jesus and all He’s given.
Take time today and reflect on what areas of comparison your heart is wrestling with and bring it to the Lord. Spend time even if it is 5 minutes and just pray the Lord’s peace would take control over your very being. And lastly, whatever you're struggling with in comparison, list at least 3 things you're thankful for that God is doing in your life.
Faith Follow-Through:
This week, take some time to grow in motherhood and faith:
Tuesday:
Read Colossians 3:1-17
One of the ONLY ways to defeat the spirit of comparison is for us to fix our eyes on Jesus; on the things above (verse 2). When we keep our eyes on Jesus and His purpose, the things of this world fall away. God is not only writing each of our stories for His glory but He is writing us into HIS story and each one of us has a part to play based on how He created us, unique, with our own gifts and talents and strengths. Some people in God’s story are like Abraham or Moses or David or Mary or Peter or Paul. God uses them in the more “main character” type ways. But so many of us get to be like Gideon or Jael or Stephen or the unnamed boy who had the 2 fish and 5 loaves or even the thief on the cross next to Jesus who repents. Our part may feel small but God’s purpose for us in His story is mighty. And when we understand that our purpose is for Him we start to know what that peace looks like. Spend some time today meditating on what it is that is keeping you from fixing your eyes on things above and take it to Jesus. Ask God to show you your purpose in His story and pray that his peace would rule your heart.
Worship song: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” Lauren Daigle
Wednesday:
Did you know that you are God’s workmanship? Did you know that you are His GLORY? No matter what lies try to find their way to us to try and distract from who God claims us to be, God’s truth prevails. When we understand who God is and who we are to Him, we can stand confident in our identity. Comparison has a hard time doing any damage when we know who and whose we are. Spend time today just giving worship to the God who is worthy in all of His glory.
Read these verses: Colossians 3:4; Ephesians 2:10; Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Peter 5:10; Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 108:5
Worship song: “Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong
Thursday:
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And BE THANKFUL." (Colossians 3:15) When we compare our lives to others we are usually wanting something we don’t have whether that is materialistic or physical traits or relationship dynamics etc. But when we have a thankful heart we can have a content heart and that comparison disappears. When we rejoice with others instead of envy what they have, we honor God.
Spend some time today to journal some thankfulness by writing:
-at least 5 things about your motherhood that you are thankful for.
-at least 5 things about your relationships you are thankful for.
-at least 5 things about how God has provided for you/your family that you are thankful for.
-at least 5 ways God has shown up in your life that you are thankful for.
Worship song: “Thank you Jesus for the Blood” by Katy Nicholes
Written by Mia, mom of 1
