Comparison Girl by Shannon Popkin

From Measuring Up to Pouring Out
Shannon Popkin leads women away from a life of comparison toward a mind-set of serving
Grand Rapids, MI — I wish I were tall like her. If only my kids got along the way her kids do. Why
does she always seem to have it all together? Women compare themselves constantly. On social
media, in their neighborhood, at church, at work, even in the school drop-off lane, they glance
sideways and ask, “How do I measure up?” Behind all this comparison is an enemy gaining tactical
advantage.
In her new Bible study, Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up
World (Kregel Publications/May 19, 2020/ISBN: 9780825446214/$16.99), author and speaker
Shannon Popkin invites women to leave measure-up comparison behind and connect with those
around them by choosing Jesus’s me-free way of living. It’s a real chance to break free from the
shackles of comparison.
Popkin confesses her own struggle with comparison literally goes as far back as she can remember
and suspects her readers can relate. Her earliest memory is of her four-year-old self holding her
songbook upside down in church. When a woman from the pew behind reached forward to turn
the book right side up, Popkin felt embarrassed and exposed—clearly the watching world now knew she could not read. It may
seem silly in retrospect, but Popkin admits the same could be said of many of her current struggles. “Why do I worry about
being exposed as a less-than-perfect mom? Or a middle-aged woman who struggles with her weight? Or a Christian who still
sins? My heart, since childhood, has been bent on perfectionism, pride, and measuring up—which has not led to great freedom
and joy. Instead, it’s led to a great fear of what people think and a great dread of being found lacking.”
Comparison follows women through every stage of life, leading either to a sense of superiority (pride, perfectionism,
arrogance, or judgmental criticism) or inferiority (insecurity, shame, jealousy, and self-consciousness). Satan loves to
perpetuate comparison-driven bondage and isolation, but Jesus wants to set women free.
Equating our lives to a measuring cup, Popkin invites readers to live by the spout, not by the lines. “Picture yourself holding a
glass measuring cup with red lines on the side. Mingled in your cup are all the things which set you apart—your gifts,
aptitudes, and talents. Your personality is mixed in, along with your family background. This cup holds your life’s potential,
measured out by God. Satan wants you to focus on the lines—holding your cup next to this person’s and that one’s. He says
that to make something of yourself, you have to measure up—then he shames you when you don’t,” she explains. “Jesus,
however, turns your attention to your measuring cup’s spout, saying that you were designed, not to measure up, but to pour
yourself out. And he shows you how it’s done. He lived by the spout, emptying himself of status and pouring his life out on the
cross, giving his life as a ransom for many.”
Suited for both individual and group study, Comparison Girl is a six-week Bible study that guides readers to examine
conversations Jesus had and parables he shared with disciples, tax collectors, and Pharisees, who also were comparing. Each
chapter is divided into lessons, allowing women on a time budget to read a Bible passage, engage in a complete train of
thought related to the topic, and then make the content personal—all in one sitting. Rather than feeling preached to, women
will engage with Popkin’s informal teaching tone as if they’re meeting with a trusted friend.
Readers of Popkin’s best-selling release Control Girl may find themselves in Comparison Girl as well. “I wrestle daily with
comparison, and I’ve noticed that my struggles with control and comparison are related. As I look to the side, measuring
myself against others, I’m often laser-focused on things that are out of my control,” she admits. Yet, there is hope. “You are
different from other people by God’s intentional design. Anything in your measuring cup is a gift from Him. As you tip your cup
and pour into others, the measuring stops. The more you pour, the more God fills your cup with freedom, confidence, and joy.”
Advance Praise
“If you struggle with measuring up, if you’re worried about what people think, if you dread someone seeing you in a less-than-
ideal situation, then you’re human. We all struggle with comparing ourselves to others in some way. That means we all need
Shannon’s honest and wise words on the pages of this book. I know I did, and I’m betting you do too!”
~ Jill Savage, author of No More Perfect Moms, No More Perfect Kids, and No More Perfect Marriages
“Shannon Popkin has done it again! She has masterfully written another must-read to speak to the struggles of our soul. Like a
dear friend she comes, sits with us, and soothes us with the truth of how purposefully we were created, how intentionally we
have been gifted, and how infinitely we are loved. Inviting us to look up, listen to the tender truths of God, and learn to silence
the lies of the enemy against us, Shannon shows us how to finally live freely in a culture of continual comparison. For every
woman who has an area of her life where she wonders if she is truly enough—here is your answer.”
~ Erica Wiggenhorn, author of Unexplainable Jesus: Rediscovering the God You Thought You Knew
About the Author

Shannon Popkin is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher who loves pointing others to the truth of
God’s Word. She combines her gifts for humor and storytelling with her passion for Jesus. She
regularly speaks at Christian women’s events and retreats, encouraging women of all ages to put
their hope in God.
Popkin is also a regular contributor for the Revive Our Hearts True Woman and Leader Connection
blogs. Her articles have been published by Family Fun, Focus on the Family Magazine, MOMsense
and others. She is the author of several books, including Control Girl: Lessons on Surrendering Your
Burden of Control from Seven Women in the Bible, Influence: Building a Platform That Elevates Jesus
(Not Me), and Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World.
Popkin and her husband, Ken, have been married for more than twenty years and live in West
Michigan. They have three children—one in high school and two in college.
Connect with Shannon Popkin by visiting www.shannonpopkin.com, following her on Facebook (shanpopkin),
Instagram (shannonpopkin), or Twitter (@ShannonPopkin).

My Take:  I am your typical Comparison Girl.  I compare myself to everyone and how I am not as good at insert thing here.  This book really helped me with that.  Shannon Popkin has written some chapters with things that Comparison Girls are very familiar with and using the Bible showing how to flip that inner scripts and make yourself use those scripts for the better.  I would highly recommend this book to everyone who finds themselves always comparing themselves to others as well as those who just compare occasionally.

I received a review copy from Kregel and am not required to write a favorable review.