Comparison Trap: A 28-Day Devotional for Women

by Sandra Stanley, Charles F. Stanley

The temptation to compare is as near as your next chat with a friend, trip to the store, or check-in on social media. And whether you come out on top or come up lacking, there is simply no win in comparison. It s a trap. The Comparison Trap Devotional provides easy access to watch, read, and draw your way through this topic. The Comparison Trap Devotional
- 28 Devotions and Activity Pages
- 4 Sets of Discussion Questions
- 4 Artwork Pages to Cut Out & Frame Read, write, and draw your way through the Comparison Trap Devotional, designed to complement the 4-session Comparison Trap video study, available on DVD ( 9781943535026) or via the free Comparison Trap app.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Religion

142 pages, Hardcover

Published December 10, 2015

Reviews

[Autumn · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, this isn't really a book. It's one verse, a few prompts, and a journaling/art page per section.
I liked the topic, but was sad to read in the preface that Sandra Stanley just adapted this devotional from a sermon series her husband did. The questions/prompts rely on stereotypical "woman" things like pinterest, watercolor, texting and coffee, which didn't really help. I think this would fall under the category of cotton candy theology. Such a shame, since I had such high expectations.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a a great read and would be a great study for women. Although, I do not agree that women compare more then men (I think men do too, just in different ways), this book is a great a message for the way women do compare. It's so feminine too! Beautiful passages and photos. Great creative ways to explore the scripture each day and in a small compact format that just seems to appeal to that girlie side of me. Also, scripture passages chosen are thoughtful and not the usual suspects which I love because gives me more exposure to the golden nuggets of the Bible. Thanks Sandra! Will definitely read again.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a few more than 28 days, but I finally completed this devotional book. Don't interpret my slow read as any indication of what the book was like. It was only my schedule that caused the delay. To the contrary, Comparison Trap is a compact devotional book in size and content. Although each day's reading is short in length, the impactful combination of God's word, Sandra's sincere messages and the thought provoking questions/exercises seemed to follow me throughout my days. I found myself with a heightened awareness of "triggers," moments, actions or conversations that awakened my deepest insecurities and opened up the comparison trap. Sometimes I'd get "trapped" but, praise the Lord, my heightened awareness and the devotional's reminder of God's thoughts toward me often helped me avoid the net. I completed this devotional on my own but I would love to walk through it again with a group of women. I can only imagine how powerful and healing conversations with other sisters could be.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually finished this book in February. It was a gift to me Christmas 2015. As soon as I finished the 28th day, I turned to the front and started again. A few months after the second reading, I recently picked it up and started again.

This is not your usual devotional book that tells you how to live a more Christian lifestyle, this devotional book causes you to pause and be truly grateful for what you have in your life - everything from material blessings to relational blessings. This book deals directly with social media and how it robs of the enjoyment of the blessings in our lives. It points out how we all innocently fall into the game of "one upper" and the dangers of bitter envy.

This is not a simple devotional that you read in a couple of minutes and immediately forget about as you go through your day. There are exercises and challenges at the end of each devotion that makes you think about what you just read on a deep, personal level.

[Safari Spell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much wisdom in this book! I did this as a 4 week study with a short term small group and it was awesome. I really had to meditate on some of the things Stanley said. It hit me right in the heart strings and made me realize just how much I struggle with comparison. It's exhausting and there's so much freedom in those moments you break out of the comparison trap. A must read for every woman these days.

[Courtney Lyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good insight into a problem we all have (although it affects us all differently). However I have a problem with studies that pull an isolated verse to prove the point. Often they feel forced, or worse, are taken out of context and used inappropriately.

The study itself was beautiful and fun with coloring pages and recipes. I also enjoyed that the daily challenges were short and easy to complete.

[Helen Nichole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wish this study was a little more deep in scripture. The concept was nice and the daily exercises were insightful. The videos that accompanied this study were really frustrating for me. Did not like being “mansplained” what comparison is like for women…. Wish the author herself would have been the speaker. Not her husband.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredibly humbling and discussed modern day pitfalls with technology and jealousy. The questions really provoked deep thought and promoted spiritual growth. It was relatable and applicable and I really connected with the daily devotions.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and sweet devotional book. I connected with the theme so much as I tend to have a comparison game playing in my head at all times.

[Gabi Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is most definitely best read as part of a small group discussion with the videos provided on the free app, Comparison Trap. The group discussion questions elicited some excellent conversation; and I would say that as a group, we became a little less compare-y and a lot more generous with our compliments, words, etc.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a timely read for me because of a season I was in with certain friendships.

[Melissa Snow]

This "book" has some helpful insights, but is ultimately surprisingly thin with little substance and at least a couple iffy attempts to connect Bible verses to the book's theme.

[Wendy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book when accompanied with the videos. Very relevant and meaningful. Great speaking on the videos and nice, short but powerful devotions for each day. Enjoyed doing this with a group of my girlfriends. Found it very convicting and helpful to be aware of the comparisons we do each day.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendous challenge!!! Thanks, Sandra! #regularread

[Megan S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study will stay with me forever.

I am very thankful that one of the ladies in my church asked me to be apart of this study. Sandra and her husband, Charles F. Stanley, approach this study with such love & truth. There is NO win in comparison!

Philippians 4:8 is one of the verses I tried hard to remember ~
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

This verse really doesn't leave out anything. Whenever I catch myself comparing, I repeat Philippians 4:8 either in my head or out loud. (The devil can hear you quoting scripture!) I actually took a lot of these verses and wrote them on my mirror in my bathroom as a reminder. Also, it's a very good way to start remembering verses!

A perfect parent wouldn't compare their kids to others, so what do you think the Lord thinks about you? He is our good good father! In God's eyes - YOU are fine because you are MINE. I HIGHLY encourage anyone to do this study! I feel that this study would be especially helpful for young girls and women that need more confidence & a healthier vision on what the "perfect woman" should look like. No need to compare & look around if you are following the way God has your life planned for you! Thank you Sandra & Charles for this amazing reminder, knowledge, & reflection.

[elizabeth sawyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy, 1 minute daily devotional following by a challenge for implementing so to speak. Not super weighty in actual bible study and wouldn't require a deep understanding of bible to participate. I found the physical for a of the book not very conducive to writing in the book so major reason for lower stars was that because that's the point of the book. The actual meat of learning is available through the videos on the app which are free. Go watch those and if you like the content then you might enjoy the ease of this book to continue the themes.