Isn’t it tempting to compare your journey with someone else’s? If you’re on social media for even five minutes, you know what I’m talking about. You’ve been staying on track, getting your movement in, and you’ve been feeling good, but then your scrolling finds you looking at the profile of someone who has experienced the success and transformation that feels illusive to you. The growth and changes you’ve made no longer feel like wins; they feel like failures, and now your whole wellness journey feels impossible again.

I think we can genuinely be happy for others, knowing the work that is involved, and at the same time, question our work ethic, growth, and our entire journey. It happens to me. There is a temptation to compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or end.

I think I am more susceptible to this way of thinking if I haven’t spent enough time in the Word or in prayer, or at certain times during my cycle…those pesky hormones!

When we skip our prayer time and our time in the Word, our perception tends to be more inward-focused. We take things more personally, we live and act on our feelings (no matter how irrational they may be), and we can very easily slip into negative thoughts about who we are and what we are capable of. When we open God’s Word, we are reminded that our purpose is so much bigger than us. We are known, loved, called, capable, and we are who God says we are, not what the world or our own thoughts and feelings tell us we are.

You have heard me say it more than once, but our feelings can not always be trusted. Although they are definitely convincing sometimes, aren’t they? I really have to be intentional to combat all the lies my feelings are throwing at me with the truth. I do this often, and I try to teach my kids to do the same. These are just a few of the lies that creep into my thoughts as they relate to my health and wellness journey.

Lie: I’ll never meet my goals. I have too far to go.

Truth: Growth takes time and looks different for everybody. As it relates to our health, we are making lifestyle changes and those changes aren’t made AND KEPT overnight. Everybody starts somewhere, and if we are too focused on the results we will miss all of the learning and growth that happens on the way there. The journey isn’t just about the destination; caring for our bodies has no end! The journey itself is where the learning and growth happen.

Lie: Her journey was easier because she doesn’t struggle the way I do.

Truth: We all struggle. Social media, by its nature, often leads us to compare our insides with everyone else’s outsides. Meaning, when we do compare ourselves with others, we are comparing our feelings, struggles, and temptations to the way someone looks, how easy their workouts look, or that they sweat prettier than we do! Their outside. Basically, their Instagram highlight reel.

If you’re struggling in this area, or in general, figure out if what you’re feeling is actually based on truth. Because so many times it isn’t. Always remember that the energy we’re putting into comparing our journey to someone else is far better placed on things that matter –  things you probably need to do, like meal prep or laundry.

Lie: It’s all too hard.

Truth: You can actually do it. Will it be difficult? Probably. Will it require sacrifice? Yes. But just because something is hard does not mean it’s bad. We grow the most in the “hard” experiences. We call these experiences “bad” because they push us out of our comfort zones.

This week, if you’re faced with thoughts and feelings that lead you to compare your journey with someone else’s, and those thoughts have you believing lies about your own journey, practice combating the lies with the truth. Take time to pray and to be in the Word. Remember that you’re called to love God and love others, and that caring for your body allows you to serve others well.

Are there any lies you are believing about your journey or your progress?