Written by Abby Caymol | Oct 22, 2023

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. – Hebrews 3:13 NIV

In today’s world, social media has significantly impacted society. Different kinds of platforms promote various recommendations to make lives easier.

A lot of encouraging social media posts that make people desire whatever they see on their social media feeds. Pretty faces, fashion trends, elegant houses, and almost perfect pictures of people with good relationships are flashing on the screen.

To desire these things will inspire you for a lifetime. It will encourage you to strive hard to get the same life you see from someone else.

Nothing is wrong with admiring someone else’s life. Sometimes, it may not apply to most people, but usually, it does happen that comparison will enter your mind quickly, and it will rule over the good intentions of your heart to simply express admiration.

Everything we see in all the people around us will make us optimistic in our lives, or it may be viewed as a competition to ourselves.

When we start to compare ourselves to others, it will leave a hole in our hearts. It will make us want other people’s lives rather than appreciating our own.

Our life is not perfect. We may encounter huge problems continuously and view it as a failure.

But what we think of ourselves shapes us.

When admiring someone’s life becomes jealousy, it will spread in our hearts and souls, leaving us empty, and we will view ourselves with pity.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. -Proverbs 17:22 NIV

A self-pity is an act of temptation. The enemy will lure you to focus on the things you don’t have rather than fix our eyes on Jesus, who truly loves us and sees our worth.

When we focus on the things we don’t have, we’ll compare ourselves to them. We can’t compare two fruits, such as grapes and watermelon. Both fruits bring different kinds of juices. Both have unique flavors that suit various taste buds.

Comparison crushes our spirit, and self-pity spreads our inner soul. It dries up our whole being.

This world can’t give any cure for self-pity, but only acceptance and contentment will satisfy you. The rooted joy from the Lord will bring you peace no matter what the world tells you. Jesus is the excellent medicine who will shape you with inner joy.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. -1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Coming to Jesus, when the enemy attacks you to compare yourself to others, the heaviness you feel in your heart will be replaced with love and comfort.

You will never see yourself the same way again. Every time the enemy will use situations to pity you, the Spirit of God will remind you of who you belong to.

You are a child of God, and you belong to Him.

‭Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. -James 4:7 NKJV

We invite the enemy to bring us down when we see ourselves lacking something. When we start to count the things we don’t have, we will begin to be discontent, and soon, we will pity ourselves.

Comparison will be the root of evil. We will start to focus on earthly things, and much worse, we will begin to harbor jealousy in our hearts towards someone. It will be a sin.

We will see ourselves to another extent when we replace discontent with appreciation. Appreciation for what you have in life will give you peace of mind.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. -Galatians 2:20 NKJV

Jesus didn’t die for us just to look down on ourselves and to compare ourselves to others. The moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and personal Savior, He lives inside us. That means self-pity cannot overcome your worth.

You are highly favored because the great King holds your heart. Jesus gave Himself to you so you can have a change of heart.

A heart filled with love and self-worth.

A heart who knows where he belongs.

A heart that fully surrendered to His Maker.

A heart that never competes with anyone.

A heart that knows appreciation and gratitude.

A heart that is filled with the fruit of the Spirit.

A heart that forgives herself and the others.

A heart who doesn’t see himself as a failure but a conqueror!

A heart that waits for the right season.

A heart that sees the beauty in everything.

A heart that never stops believing!

A heart that embraces the One who lives inside her.

The One who holds the key of her heart. The promise keeper—Jesus.