A Prayer to Release Comparison and Follow Your God-Given Call

　　By: Keri Eichberger

　　Bible Reading:

　　When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:21-22)

　　Listen or Read Below:

　　Comparison seems to camp out in my subconscious sometimes. Holding me back from what God is calling me toward. Silent words that whisper…You won’t do it as well as she does, so you may as well not at all. Someone else will surely do a better job, so you should stay out of it. Your words aren’t as impactful, so you ought to just keep them to yourself. Your voice isn’t as vibrant as hers, so why join the worship team at all? Your house isn’t as fitting as theirs, so let someone else host. You could try, you could do it, you could put yourself out there. But it's likely not worth it. What she has, what he’s doing, what they’re capable of, can’t compare to what you seem to have. This is the script that scrolls in the rear of my mind.

　　Have you ever found your thoughts caught in comparison? Think about it, maybe you haven’t spoken any of those words out loud, but your heart felt some of that. Maybe you’re in the mix of family members who seem to have it more together than you, or friends who honestly just feel like better friend material than you. Or maybe—like half the rest of the world—you find yourself on social media all too often noticing how everybody else has more, is excelling faster, or is just doing what you wish you were. Their kids are dressed nicer, their grown children are actually making something of themselves, their spouses seem perfect—along with their homes, their cars, their vacations. So much seems more amazing than what you can see in your surroundings. And it can all make you feel a little less than. It makes you wonder what you really have to offer, whether God has a specific purpose for you, and whether you have what it takes to fulfill it.

　　But here’s what I’m beginning to wonder. Why are we constantly considering and consumed with what everyone else is doing? Why can’t we just believe once and for all that God truly did make us perfectly in his image? Because he did. Why can’t we just believe the truth that he created our character, our circumstances, and our surroundings? Because he has authority over it all. And why can’t we trust that he created each of us as a very unique individual with very specific plans, missions, and callings that only the precise person we are can fill. Because he certainly did.

　　I think sometimes we look for the grand gestures and extreme examples. We look for the big moves and moments, and seemingly sizable impact. We underestimate the simple ways we touch someone’s life. We underestimate how God can use our simple and intentional giftings. We underestimate God. We think just because we don’t have what she does or we aren’t doing things as largely as he is, that our lives aren’t making much of a difference, if even a small difference at all. But we are putting God in a box when we think that. A rather small box. And God is far from small.

　　God really did create a grand masterpiece when he created you. Each of us. With such intricate details. A hand-tailored heart, a perfectly crafted voice, and a one-of-a-kind imagination. The truth is, your own unique set of traits, gifts, and characteristics might be the only set of qualities that can open that one special person’s heart to Jesus. And be just the light one particular person needs. That maybe no one else could reach. And that one person matters just as much as the whole of the 99 others that the person you are comparing yourself to might reach or help. Truly.

　　Let us learn not to look to the right or the left, comparing what we think others have—what God has given, and how he has gifted them—with the very intentional and purposeful way he has gifted each of us. He knew exactly what he was doing when he gave you everything he did. He knew every calling he would place on your life before you even came to be. He has called you first and foremost to follow him, and him alone. And he has called you, and you alone, not to look at the call of others, but to live out your very own unique call. With your very own whole and purposefully crafted heart.

　　Let’s Pray:

　　Lord God, I praise you that you created me on purpose with very special and specific purposes. And you created me intentionally unique from every other one of your children. With my very own intricate and individual qualities and characteristics. And you sent me into intentional surroundings to fulfill every single one of your purposes solely for me.

　　Lord, help me not to look to what others have and what others are doing, knowing that you have a specific plan for them as well. You love each of your children, and you have wonderful, unparalleled plans for each of us. This means you have wonderful plans for me and only me. And I praise you for how perfectly you made me.

　　In your all-powerful name, I pray, Amen.

　　If you liked what you read, I think you will love my latest book, Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. You can find it on Amazon or your favorite online retail site. I hope it blesses you!

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　　Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/rparobe

　　Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author ofWin Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri atKeriEichberger.com orInstagram.

　　Related Resource: What If God’s Heart Toward You Is Kinder Than You Think?In this episode of Talk About That, you will laugh along with stories about children’s books, volleyball mornings, St. Patrick’s Day, and even the questionable legacy of the Power Team, but underneath the humor is a thoughtful conversation about one of the deepest questions of faith: how God truly sees us. John and Jonnie reflect on weakness, mercy, and the struggle many believers feel in accepting that God is not only patient with them, but genuinely pleased to call them His own. It’s an honest, encouraging reminder that our relationship with God is not built on performance, perfection, or “having it all together,” but on His love, grace, and fatherly delight in His children. You'll come away challenged to see yourself less through the lens of self-criticism and more through the steady, compassionate eyes of a God who knows you fully, loves you deeply, and may just be rooting for you more than you realize. If you laughed out loud listening to this episode, be sure to follow Talk About That on Appleand Spotify!