I make an effort to keep things like envy, competition, and comparison out of my life. I see its rotten fruit, I witness what it’s doing in the Christian body (especially), and I don’t want any part of it. We all bring such wonderful gifts, talents, and skills to the Lord’s table. And, we all have our areas of insecurity, lack, and inaptitude. While we are all made in His image and created equal, we are different in design. Why would God create us to be like each other in every way? That’s nonsensical. We are designed with differences so that, collectively, we can bless one another.

But just because I make a conscious effort to keep those things out of my life doesn’t mean that I succeed all the time. Just recently, the enemy tempted me in a most insidious and unsuspecting way. In fact, I let it linger for a couple of weeks before I took it to the Lord for His insight, whereupon He showed me what was at play and encouraged me to confess and repent.

There’s an up and coming Christian mom blogger/author who gives great advice on parenting from a biblical perspective. Her message is, for the most part, spot-on as she challenges moms to view aspects of parenting as a blessing rather than a burden. I know that the Lord wants me to follow her blog because I am also a mom, and like most moms, I struggle with feeling burdened by the demands of parenthood at times (especially when the Lord has us doing other things for Him). I love the message, but there are aspects of the messenger that bother me (I’m sure some of you feel the exact same way about me). She likes to post things about her life that are very much in the “flesh”—stories, images, lots of “material” stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all that stuff, too, but something about the delivery rubs me the wrong way.

I took it to prayer the other week when I asked God why it bothered me so much. He was quick to reveal a few things. First, that our ministries for Him (we ALL have personal ministries…subject for another article) will look and function differently…and that’s a good thing. Second, sometimes we have to be a little more “in the flesh” in order to appeal to the masses, draw them in, and sustain them (where they will be fed more of Him). Third, it’s okay for me to not care for the personality of the messenger, but it’s important to show respect and take in His message through her. Fourth, I don’t have to change my ministry (or myself) to be more like hers. Fifth, what I do for the Lord is still meaningful. Sixth, I should continue to focus on what He is calling me to do and avoid passing judgment.

SEVENTH, I should repent for envy and comparison.

Ugh. The dreaded “E” word. No woman wants to be called out on it. I’m not sure why women dread it. It’s a flesh-filled struggle that everyone battles. But, so many don’t want to acknowledge it, let alone talk about it. Ladies, we have to start talking about it. Guys, you, too.

I have been on the receiving end of envy for a very long time. Granted, the Lord has been very good to me, but you name it and people in my life envy me for it. Big things. Little things. Everything and anything. It doesn’t seem to matter how many of my struggles I share, either. It doesn’t stop how others feel and act. That’s not to say that I do not manage my own struggles with inadequacy and comparison, but I’m generally not a person who’s worried about keeping up with the Joneses, what my friend has, nor do I get upset if someone has it better. I generally feel fulfilled when others are blessed because it reinforces the goodness of God. His blessings are plentiful.

Friends, the demons of envy/judgment/comparison are wreaking havoc on the body. We’ve got to start taking inventory of our thoughts, feelings, and actions…and then take them to the Lord for His provision. When we don’t deal with them (through confession & repentance), they turn into dangerous emotions like resentment, bitterness, anger, and hate. I see highly equipped and anointed Christians at a stand-still because of them. The Lord wants to promote them, but He cannot when their hearts are full of envy and one-upmanship. Don’t let these things hold you back from fulfilling your purpose.

Keep your heart fixed on Jesus, and trust that He will advance you in His timing and way.