Somehow the evil of comparison took resident in my mind. And boy did it wreck havoc.

“You’re not good enough. You’ll never be like…”

“Pffftt, don’t kid yourself…”

“Really? I thought you were a Christian. That’s not very ‘Christian-y of you.”

“Your kids are going to be like every other kid, doesn’t matter what you try to do…”

“You want to live a life that shines light…all you’re shining is…”

Ugh, it’s an ugly day when he arrives.

The Enemy Strikes Where We Give him a Foothold

It’s funny (though not literally). This post was written in 2020 but the “funny” thing is, I still battle with the enemy of comparison in 2023. I still struggle with repeating back to myself lies of the enemy rather than truth of my Heavenly Father.

No more, though.

“For God did not give [me] a spirit of fear or timidity, but [He has given me a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” (2 Tim. 1:7, AMPC)

At church Sunday, the pastor was teaching from Exodus, specifically the plagues on Egypt. He mentioned “living above the snake line.” He said that like many know what that means- well, I didn’t.

Apparently, snakes cannot inhabit environments above 15,000 feet altitude.

In Ancient Egypt, the snake, or serpent, was representative of loyalty, sovereignty, deity, and divine authority. It was held in high regard. In scripture, Satan, our adversary, is referred to as the serpent.

The pastor had compared this “snake line” with our faith- when we accept Christ as our Savior, we are brought above that “snake line” of Satan’s environment and into the environment where Christ resides. The environment where we do not have to fear for the troubles that the “snakes” bring. But we have choice to live above that “snake line” or succumb to the attacks of the serpent in the environment below the 15,000 feet safety mark.

“And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation…” (Phil. 1:28, AMPC)

Fear and comparison are from the enemy, and it’s the enemy to our faith.

Satan wanders around looking for someone to devour, but we are called as believers to “resist him [Satan], stand firm in the faith” and “be alert and of sober mind.” (referencing 1 Peter 5:8-9)

Unjustified and Unwarranted

Maybe you’ve had an unwelcome, unexpected visit from the enemy of comparison.

He’s notorious for making you doubt who you are, what you’re capable of and how you do what you do best. In every single thing, he makes you compare yourself to others and you never measure up. He makes you feel like everyone else is doing better than you.

I felt the evil of comparison begin his lurking when I was enjoying a weekend away with girlfriends. (Yes, it began even when I was with great people, doing good things. Stupid enemy.)

As my girlfriends and I talked about things of the past, our lives growing up, our struggles as wives and mothers, mistakes and victories, and our desires for growing closer to God, I grew a deeper admiration for these women. They are on fire for Jesus. They serve those around them with love, joy and compassion. They stive to do their best to serve their husbands and children, relying on and trusting God for His provision; giving them all they have each and every day. They radiate God’s beauty and joy; carrying themselves with confidence of who He says they are in Him. They are mindful of the importance of leading a Godly life, instilling truth into their children’s lives.

These women have the strength to take whatever comes at them with grace, strength and peace, using their “mess” to be their message.

I am thankful to have them as friends!

Yet even in admiration of their beauty and friendship, I looked at myself with disdain and discontentment. Like I was unworthy to be friends with them.

I began to have thoughts of inadequacy.

The insecurities of way back when seemed to rear their ugly heads. Hard. The comparisons were coming at me from every angle.

“You’re not doing enough…”

“See, she does way more than you…”

“You should probably do this if you want…”

“You’ll never quite be…”

“This is why…”

Initially I was able to shut them down (or so I thought.) I was able to recognize the thoughts for what they were, and not give in and sulk in self-pity or the evil of comparison.

Taking Authority through Jesus

A weekend away was just what I needed, but just like life does, it carries on!

So, upon returning home, I had a clingy, constantly fussy and crying baby and two boys eager to tell me everything from the past three days.

I was worn. And it had only been two days back home!

Is it much of a surprise that the enemy of comparison roared again? Not at all. I was worn and weary (already). Prime victim for his schemes.

But this time his tactics caught me off guard. From the moment my eyes awakened to screaming in self-defeat hours later, the enemy was at work.

Can I be frank? It was a pretty no good, very bad 8 hours of my day.

I had a soar attitude. Everything the boys didn’t do set me off. Nobody could win.

I wanted to be joyful. I wanted to be loving. I wanted to be patient. I wanted to be kind. I wanted to teach my kids the right thing to do or to say. I wanted to be the light despite living a dark world full of chaos. I wanted to listen to every single word they had to say. I wanted to take pleasure in the small joys in their lives.

Yet here I was, succumbing to the enemy of comparison.

He beat me down hard. Using qualities of those closest to me as a way to make me feel defeated and less than. Making me feel the lowest of lows.

I was a sobbing mess, unable to see past my failures and inadequacies.

I knew what I needed to do! I knew I had the power to send the devil right back to the hell he belongs! But I couldn’t even muster up a seedling of faith to say “enough!” Not for myself. Not for the kids.

But thanks be to God, my husband came home at the perfectly appointed time and took authority over the enemy.

He prayed truth into my weary and deceived mind. He reminded me that I am right where I need to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing, loving and disciplining my boys exactly as they need- after all, God chose ME to be their mother.

I’m not suggesting I don’t have improvements to make, but golly gee, I am a good mother to my three boys. How dare I allow the enemy to take that conviction from me.

Truth Comes in an Instant

It’s ironic how I can be so bogged down by the enemy; in this case the enemy of comparison, feeling so far removed from the Voice of Truth yet in an instant, with an exercise of faith, see the enemy for who he is and rest easy in the truth of God’s Word.

The enemy does that. He tries to make us feel so far, but God is always near. He had never left us. God was patiently waiting for us to turn from the lies and focus on Him. To trust Him.

God was waiting for us to realize we live above the “snake line” and can walk in freedom there, in HIS environment.

Put on Your Armor. Be Ready.

Music has always been a way for me to connect with the Lord and His truths. After reaching the other side of this ugly 8 hours, We the Kingdom’s new song, “Don’t Tread On Me” kept resonating in my mind. It’s so good! I felt like it was my battle cry, my victory song:

No weapon formed against me
Shall prosper in Jesus’ name
Get on outta here
Get on up and leave
Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me
He’s choking on the blood
That ran down the tree
Ain’t no devil gonna tread on me

Learn from me and my experience, the enemy of comparison is wrong. Always. He can never speak truth, he is a liar.

Don’t give him a foothold and allow him to take root in your insecurities because he will dig deep and stunt your ability to be a productive wife, mother, friend, mentor, leader, teacher, grandmother, sister, and daughter.

You ARE enough! You ARE worthy through the blood of Jesus!

Don’t get to the ugly place I was at. Write these truths on your heart so when the day of evil comes, you’re better equipped than I was to stand your ground in faith in Jesus.

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13)

It doesn’t say “if” the day of evil comes. It says “when” the day of evil comes… It’s going to happen. And it may happen often, but we can persevere through the trials (and attacks of the enemy) through faith in Christ.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

Speaking & Believing the Truth

I love writing truths of scripture on my mirrors. A dry-erase marker works great! You’re bound to look in a mirror every day, why not remind yourself of God’s truth when you do so?

Sticky notes are also wonderful. You can place them in all kinds of random places.

• I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love & a sound mind.
  (2 Tim. 1:7)

• I will love my God with all my heart, mind & strength today.
  (Mark 12:30)

• I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart today!
  (Psalm 100:4)

• Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting…
  (Prov. 31:30)

• I am brave. I am strong. My God is with me.
  (Josh. 1:9)

• I have a beautiful heart through Christ.
  (1 Peter 3:3-4)

• My hope is in the Lord and Him alone. He will renew my strength. I will run and not become tired. I will walk and not be weary.
  (Isa. 40:31)

• I am equipped for every good work, in Jesus’ name. This includes all the “hoods”: motherhood, wifehood, sisterhood, grand-motherhood…you were equipped to do what you have been entrusted to! (2 Tim. 3:17)

• I trust God and His plans for me.
  (Prov. 3:5-6)

• The JOY of the Lord will be MY strength today!
  (Neh. 8:10)

Love you, friends.

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