by Shannon Popkin | Jul 6, 2020 | Comparison
As you scroll through the photos of everyone sharing their 4th of July highlights, do you need a reminder not to compare? I did. My husband and I had a rather quiet 4th. None of our kids were home. It had been a busy week so we just stayed home. No fireworks. No...
by Shannon Popkin | May 19, 2020 | Uncategorized
Hi friends! What a joy to introduce you to my new book, Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World. This book has weighed heavily on my heart over the past year and a half. I’ve thought of the woman who will open it’s...
by Shannon Popkin | May 6, 2020 | Comparison
Back when I still had preschoolers, I was asked to be a Bible study leader. Our group met on Thursday mornings—the same morning that the moms’ group met down the hall. I loved this because it meant my kids could participate in the wonderful childcare program at that...
by Shannon Popkin | May 1, 2020 | Comparison
“But many who are first will be last, and last first” (Matt. 19:30). Jesus said this to his close friends who were kinda wondering if He had noticed that their stacks had been shrinking over the past year. He said it just moments after a man walked away...
by Shannon Popkin | Apr 29, 2020 | Comparison
This post is part of an “Ask and Older Woman” series on Revive Our Hearts. And since I was asked to write it, I guess it’s official. I’m an older woman! But this problem of comparison is one that has trailed into every space and stage of life....
by Shannon Popkin | Apr 22, 2020 | Sin
There’s a story from my college days that I’ve been notorious for. It goes like this: One day at the mall, I noticed a guy walking beside me, wearing a Michigan sweatshirt. Since I’m from Michigan and went to school in Virginia, I always enjoyed meeting people from my...
by Shannon Popkin | Apr 15, 2020 | Comparison
Hey there, Comparison Girl. How’s your heart doing, in this crisis? I’m wondering. Have you been… A. Feeling like a loser because other people are cleaning out sheds and organizing their attics and you’ve accomplished jack squat? B. Irritated...
by Shannon Popkin | Apr 8, 2020 | Problems, Submission, Suffering
Hello, Trouble. We were expecting you. Come right in and make yourself at home. Will you be staying awhile? We thought so. We’ve heard a lot about you. We’ve seen you visit our friends’ homes. To be honest, we’ve been dreading your arrival for...
by Shannon Popkin | Mar 24, 2020 | Young Control Girl
I tried it, and it worked! My belly emptied out, and I felt better. It was my first step in a very dangerous direction. For years to come, anytime I overate, I would go and empty my surplus food into the toilet. Then I began planning ahead. On pizza day at school, I...
by Shannon Popkin | Mar 19, 2020 | Anxiety, Perfectionism, Young Control Girl
Maddie had a reputation for being exceptionally helpful and cheerful—spreading joy wherever she went. One day, Maddie noticed a boy’s shoe that was untied. He had special needs, so she offered to tie it for him. After that, kids everywhere started saying, “Maddie,...
