Live Beyond the Comparison Trap

Comparison Threatens Our Destinies

There’s a faint call deep within. It echoes through my mind–a siren song haunting.

“Listen to me,” whispers the voice.

I strain to hear more, but all I feel is a pain in my heart.

Is it His sadness?

Does it hurt God when I do this comparison thing? Does comparison make me want to be someone God never intended?

Confession: I’ve spent a good portion of this morning admiring other bloggers’ websites. This battle ensued in my mind:

Maybe I should do that!

I could do mine that way.

I could add that, but I don’t have time.

Oh, I could never do that!

She must be an artist.

She’s really good. This is her thing. 

Look at how many followers she has! I’m a failure!

Like a child admiring beautiful dolls in the window, I find myself wanting to be better, do better, offer more.

But

His Voice Settles Me

“Peace be still,” He cries out to the storm raging within.

“Andy! Just do you. Be you. Listen to my Spirit guiding you.”

The pain in my heart subsides, and I stop comparing the feast of talent around me. That’s when I bring my offering to Him.

I petition, “All I have is five loaves of bread and two small fish, Lord. Alice has more; do you want me to be like her? I want to be like her!”

“I like you,” He says. Just give me what you have. It is enough. If you need to be like Alice, I will give you help. For now, just be you. Do you.”

{These images are for you to share!}

 

The Comparison Game

This is one thing I really don’t like about being human. I hate comparison, but I do it all the time until Jesus gets through to me. Who do you find yourself constantly trying to measure up to?

If you’re a mom, it may be other moms. If you’re a student, it may be other kids in your school. Maybe you compare your marriage to others or your house, or your cooking! Maybe your job or marriage status.

The grass always looks greener on the other side, doesn’t it?

Nothing can settle our hearts like God’s truth. Our truth just makes us want more, and it stirs discontentment. It makes us compare ourselves with our peers. But God’s truth heals, strengthens, loves, and gives us peace.

Bite of Bread Bible Reading Plan with 5 Truths to Defeat Comparison

This five day reading plan can help you defeat comparison and find joy in who God has made you to be.  [Download the Reading Plan Printable]

Truth 1- We each have our own purpose and gifts

1. 1 Corinthians 12: 15-16: If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

-I love this verse. When I read it, I’m reminded that we don’t have the same purposes or abilities. This frees me to be me and embrace the passions and gifts I have. It helps me not be envious of the talents my sister or brother have. I can just be me.

• Prompt: Write down your passions/gifts. Thank God for them. Now write down the gifts you see in another person and thank God for that person and her abilities. How does this make you feel?

Truth 2-Our gifts are for others

  2.  1 Peter 4: 10: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Our gifts were never meant for us, but they empower us to serve others. Comparison gets under our skin because we forget that these gifts were never given to us for us in the first place. Ya’ll, I’m preaching to myself here. What if we got up every day thanking God for our gifts–blessings, and abilities, and ask God how we can serve others with them.

• Prompt: Ask God to show you how to use your gift creatively today.

Truth 3-Comparison is rooted in pride

3. James 4: 6:  But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[c]

This whole comparison thing is fueled by pride. We become disheartened and discourage as self-pity slithers in because our pride is hurt. The desire to be the best, prettiest, most talented, smartest, best mommy, cook, Pinterest queen . . . well, all of that is rooted in pride. But God loves the humble and shows favor to the humble.

• Prompt: If you’re struggling with comparison, confess your pride. Get on your knees, and ask God to forgive you. Pray for His grace and favor in your life to be a blessing to those around you and to bring Him glory.

Truth 4-Pray for Your Competitors

4. Matthew 5:44: But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. (Contemporary English Version)

The people we compare ourselves to may not mistreat us, but when we compare ourselves to others it often feels like they are our enemies. The Bible is very clear. We are to pray for them. I always find when I pray for the people I’m feeling lesser than, it opens my eyes to their human hearts. Everybody has insecurities. Every one struggles on one level or another. The foot of the Cross is level. We all need Jesus.

Digging Deep,

Andy