Day 24: REJOICE (We Share the Same Heart Rate)

Today’s blog comes to you as a vlog (below) or blog (scroll past vlog)!

(Can’t view the video directly? Click here to watch “We Share the Same Heart Rate” on YouTube!)

The Comparison Game

This summer, while traveling, I made a point to get up every morning and spend time on the elliptical in the hotel exercise room.

I was really feeling pretty good about myself. I had trained for a couple of races — nothing big, but not bad for me! So I wanted to maintain my momentum, keep my body fit, and take good care of my heart.

One morning, I got up at 5:30 and was the only person in the exercise room. I was working away on the elliptical, with some good music on my iPod, feeling good about myself, thinking, Nothing’s going to stop me! It’s going to be a great day!

Then the door opened, and another woman came in. She looked to be about my age and got on the elliptical next to me.

I thought Oh, how nice! This is great — some companionship!

Yeah.

Until she got going.

Twice my speed!

And it was effortless for her.

I’d been in there for twenty or thirty minutes and was soaked with sweat. (I am not one of those dainty women who “glistens”!) I did not look attractive.

She had her hair up in a ponytail; I’ve not had enough hair for a ponytail since high school.

Clearly, I was deep into playing the comparison game.

I started thinking, Well, at least I’ve gone farther than she has!

Which lasted for another ten minutes, at which point she lapped me.

At that point, I had no need to stay in the room with someone who made me look bad and feel bad!

Focusing on Heart Rate

I started slowing down to stop, when my eyes fell once more on the digital display on her elliptical.

And I realized that the number on her heart rate monitor matched the number on mine.

So even though she was going faster, and she was going farther than I was, we had the same heart rate.

I thought, Wow. That’s what really matters. Our heart rates. We’re both getting a good workout.

We had different body types. And clearly she was in better shape that I was. But I was still pushing my body within the perimeters of my recommended heart rate.

So I didn’t need to feel bad: she was doing what she needed to get her heart up to that rate, and I was doing what I needed.

Compare or Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I will say it again:

Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

It’s so tempting to compare ourselves to each other.

We women do this all the time!

Especially at the holidays. We look to see how others are decorating, what kinds of events they’re doing, how they’re dressing…

You name it, we compare it!

Problem is, comparison destroys my ability to rejoice.

I’d been feeling really good on the elliptical. And even when the woman walked in, it wasn’t her presence that bothered me, it was looking at the numbers on her elliptical that caused me to go from feeling really good to feeling bad about myself.

Heart Rate = Price Paid

Then I got to thinking about “heart rate” in a different way:

We all have the same heart rate.

The rate that has been paid for our hearts is the same.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for my heart, and he paid the ultimate price for your heart.

We all have the same heart rate…and it’s already been paid. (Click to Tweet this.)

That’s the entire reason we can rejoice all year long!

And especially at the holiday season.

Your Turn:

In what areas of life do you find yourself playing the “comparison game”?

How might remembering that “we all have the same heart rate” help you navigate difficult relationships this holiday season?

Anything else on your heart!

Start Your Holiday Ready Heart Journey Here:

4 Comments

Okaasan says:

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Ahhh, comparison — a gift and a curse! Great post!

Lisa Maria says:

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p.s. I LOVE this..”comparison destroys my ability to rejoice” Holding this one close to my heart today!

Lisa Maria says:

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Cheri…this one really hits home for me! I have insecurity issues and ALWAYS compare myself infavourably to others. Everytime I think I’ve mastered it, it hits me square between the eyes again. For one thing, I gave up working to be a stay at home mom so money has always been an issue. I’ve made many sacrifices…that’s meant no new clothes, haircuts or beauty products (this makes me feel like I look bad compared to others)and that’s just one area!

We don’t have alot to spend on Christmas presents but we try to buy from the heart. There have been times I have compared my gifts to others’ in an unfavourable way. Your post reminds me though, that the money isn’t what’s important its giving from the heart. I will try to apply this to other areas as well…thank you for sharing your wisdom.

Amie says:

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I have always had this “comparison” struggle. Just as Lisa Marie’s comment states, I also think that I have mastered this struggle and then it hits me upside the head again. I compare myself with other women’s hairstyles or their clothes at times and wonder how come my hair cannot look like theirs or why my clothes do not look as cute on me as theirs do on them, or how do they afford to dress so nice and I cannot seem to stretch my budget that far…I am really enjoying “A Holiday-Ready Heart”, thank you Cheri for allowing God to use you!