Something I’ve been struggling a lot with lately is comparison.  It’s SO easy to fall into the trap of wishing you were somewhere else in your life.

Often I’ll compare myself to other photographers who have been in the industry for several years and wish I could be where they are.  I envy their fancy websites, expensive equipment, their international travels for destination weddings, etc.  However, comparison is the THIEF of joy.

When we compare ourselves to others we aren’t able to see how far we’ve come in our own journeys and aren’t able to thank God for all of the blessings He  continually pours in our lives.

The other day, I read a devotion from, “Jesus Calling,” and God spoke directly to my heart on this topic of comparison.

“Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role.  Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people.  This produces feelings of pride or inferiority; sometimes a mixture of both.  I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her.  Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations, or those of other people.  The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love…Immerse yourself in My loving Presence.  Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.”

Take a minute to evaluate where you were at this point last year and where you are right now.  For me at this point last year I dreamed of being a wedding photographer but hadn’t even shot a single wedding.  Within the last year I’ve shot two solo weddings and I have eight amazing couples whose weddings I’ll be shooting this year.  Wow, it’s amazing when you reflect on your own journey and you realize all that you do have to be thankful for!

This is definitely a daily challenge for me to stop comparing myself to others and wishing I was in a different place in my life.  However, I know that God is the only source of unconditional love and He desires for us to be content wherever we are in life.