Day 7 — Run Your Own Race

“Each one should test his own work. Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else. For each one should carry his own load.”

— Galatians 6:4–5 (BSB)

Imagine you’re running in a race. You’re doing great! Your legs are strong, your breathing is steady and you’re getting closer to the finish line. But then you glance over at the runner next to you. She’s faster than me. Her shoes are nicer. She looks like she’s not even tired. You keep looking at her. And while you’re watching her, you trip over your own feet.

That’s what comparison does.

Comparison means measuring yourself against someone else. And it’s one of the biggest traps girls fall into. Is she prettier than me? Smarter? Funnier? Does she have more friends? Nicer clothes? A bigger house? A better phone?

Comparing always ends in one of two ways. Either you decide you’re better than her, and you become proud. Or you decide she’s better than you, and you feel jealous, discouraged or not good enough. Neither one is good for your heart.

Paul gives a different way: “Each one should test his own work.” In other words, look at your own life, not hers. Are you doing what God asked you to do? Are you using the gifts He gave you? Are you growing in the ways you need to grow?

God didn’t make you to be a copy of anyone else. He gave her gifts for her life, and He gave you gifts for yours. He gave her a race to run, and He gave you yours.

Paul says, “each one should carry his own load.” You don’t have to carry her life. You only have to carry yours, with God’s help.

And here’s the freedom in that: when you stop comparing, you can actually enjoy other girls instead of competing with them. You can be happy when she does well, and she can be happy when you do well. Nobody has to lose for somebody else to win.

Think about it: Who do you tend to compare yourself to most? How does it make you feel?

Try this: Every time you catch yourself comparing today, stop and thank God for one gift He gave you.

Dear God, I compare myself to other girls a lot. Help me stop. Help me keep my eyes on the race You’ve given me, not on someone else’s. Thank You for the gifts and the life You gave me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.