Made in The Image of God

“Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt

Many of us walk through life feeling less than best, we feel as if ‘they’ are better than us. More qualified, more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable. When we do this, we completely oversee the fact that every individual on this earth is unique. Whilst we can be inspired by people and gain wisdom to improve our lives, we should not neglect the fact that we are all different and that is okay.

Comparison is something that I have struggled with in various aspects of my life. One area in particular was feeling unlovable and comparing myself to those around me who seemed to be so liked. The problem is, when I did this, it caused me to withdraw from people more and in turn the thoughts of “I’m unlovable” increased the more and it was all one vicious cycle. These thoughts are often untrue, whilst I may not be loved by all (there will always be those who don’t like you), the truth is I definitely am loved by some. Comparison, however, will magnify the insecurity you feel to the point that you believe it over any rational truth.

Comparison, as defined by Oxford dictionary, is a consideration or estimate of the similarities or dissimilarities between two things or people. Similar words to comparison include contrast, differentiation and weighing up. Weighing up is what I believe most people do when they compare themselves to another, to weigh up is to consider the good and bad aspects of something in order to reach a decision about it. More often that not, we consider our bad aspects in comparison to others good aspects leading us to feel bad about ourselves. Of course, the opposite too can be done, where we consider ourselves better than others which is not a good thing to do either.

As Christians, God has given us the solution to any feelings of inadequacy due to comparison and that is the fact that HE MADE YOU. You are made by God, for God and in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 (MSG) says

“God created human beings; he created them godlike, Reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female.”

God created you. If something is created that means it did not exist before it was made. God created you – He invented, produced, designed, conceived and built you. How reassuring to know that you are created uniquely by God? God does not make mistakes, He is all powerful, so know deep within you that God made you. Before He made you, there was not another you – you were brought into being by God. If then, God created you, why would you try to be someone that you were not created to be? Why would you believe the lie that you are not good enough, but ‘they’ are? Why not instead believe that everyone is enough in their own unique way?

We are made “reflecting God’s nature”, to reflect is to have the same image. If we reflect God’s nature then we are made to be like Him, in His nature. If God is enough, we are enough. If God is love, we are to love.

These truths must be embedded deep within you. You must know AND believe that God created you and God does not create mistakes. You are made in His image, He designed you. Next time the thought of “I’m not enough” even tries to run through your mind, stand upon His word that says you are enough because you are made by Him.

Always remember that God loves you, He made you and you are enough.