Last night, two of our grandsons spent the night with us. Of course, they awakened ready to play video games and have breakfast from Grammy’s kitchen, where she fixes what their hearts desire. After breakfast, they truly come to life. Chatter, laughter, and silly fun.

Luke and Judah were standing in front of our Alexa echo. They love to ask her so many questions, some silly, some informational. Alexa would often say, “Hello, Luke.” She says that to Luke, Judah, and me.

When Luke visited one day, he somehow got Alexa to remember who he was and his voice. Judah’s voice sounds similar, so when he talks to Alexa, she will call him Luke. That does not set well with the five-year-old.

With a sad face, Judah came to me and said, “Hey, Grammy. Alexa just called me Luke. I don’t want to be Judah anymore. I want to change my name to Luke.” I explained that I could not change his name. He said, “Can my mom change my name?”

Judah had a flare-up of a disease called “comparison-itis.” I wish I could be Luke. I want what Luke has. Things would be better if I were like Luke.

Comparison is a killer! Comparison-itis can be a chronic, debilitating disease. It goes into remission when we are happy, when we are stroked by others, or when all is going well. All too often, the moment something does not go the way we want it to go, it flares up.

Can I tell you a little secret? I spent way too much of my life living with comparison-itis. Every time I let myself get infected with this spirit-killing disease, it would take the joy right out of my life. If only I could teach the Bible like her. If only I was as slim as she is. If only I had a house as nice as hers. If only I was as highly educated as she is. If I could just be the kind of mother she is.

Yes, I have struggled with every one of the things I listed above, and quite a few others. It would often cause me to head to comparison prison and often in solitary confinement. After all, what did I really have to offer?

I remember going to God and telling Him why I could not continue ministry from a platform. Surely, He had missed it when He called me, or maybe I even missed what I heard. As I wiped my tears and quieted myself before Him, it was as if He spoke audibly. “You are fearfully and wonderfully made. YOU – Barbara – YOU.” God did not try to convince me. He did not argue with me. He just stated His truth and His opinion.

The Bible has quite a bit to say about being happy with who God made us to be. One of the most freeing verses that I have found is, “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” – Galatians 6:4 NLT. That verse just shouts, “FREEDOM.” This tells me that all God wants and asks is that I give my personal best to whatever He has called me to do. I can be secure and satisfied knowing that God is pleased with me, and I do not need to compare myself with anyone else. That is THE truth.

Years ago, comparison would kill so much joy in my life. I did not want to be around people because I was not thin enough. I did not want to speak at a large event with multiple speakers, because they were better at their gift than I was. I did not want to have people over because their house was much nicer than mine.

I went through too many periods where I hung out at the burning bush like Moses, so I could explain to God why I could not walk out my calling. “I am introverted. I am insecure. They will not even understand what I am saying in Maine or California with this deep southern accent. I am afraid to get up in front of people.”

David said it this way, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:13-14. It is time to stop allowing comparison-itis to rob you. You are God’s workmanship, His masterpiece. Today is the day to know that full well.

Do flare-ups of comparison-itis try to find their way into my life? Yes. What is the best thing to do about it? Be me! If you feel yourself coming down with this disease, what is the best thing you can do about it? Be you! You are God’s masterpiece. Know that full well!