We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
2 corinthians 10:12 NKJV
What is it about the flesh that craves comparison? It’s a two way street that is so easy to find myself traveling. There’s that route that lets you look down on others, making yourself feel better, justifying yourself and your actions. Then there’s the opposite side of the road with the urge to stare longingly at the life someone else has or portrays on social media, ignoring your own blessings, wishing away your own days.
Maybe it’s pride or maybe it’s jealousy (which is still really pride telling us we deserve it more than they). Whatever petty emotion it is that drive us to comparison, all it does is multiply those ugly feelings, and drain the positive.
Comparison motivated by pride breeds more pride, more vanity, more frustration and it drains grace, meekness, and kindness from our hearts.
Comparison motivated by jealousy breeds more jealousy, more discontent, more anger, and once again drains kindness, generosity, and joy from our hearts.
But it’s not a competition.
Your home. Your wardrobe. Your job. Your social status. Your abilities. Your success.
They are not meant to be tallied a score board of life next to that fellow believer you line yourself up by.
No, those things are not points, but are meant to be tools for the kingdom.
Your abilities are so you can glorify Him. Your job is so you can glorify Him. Your clothes, your success, your home – these are all meant to help you glorify the Lord and point others to Him alone.
Comparison is only a symptom of a distorted focus. It’s us shifting our eyes off of our Creator and onto ourselves. When your focus is on Him, you’ll celebrate others victories and figure out ways to lift them up when they are down.
So quit worrying about how your scoreboard of life compares to someone else and focus on how your life can be used for Christ today. I can promise you’ll find joy, contentment, and peace multiplying in your heart if you do.
A Peace of My Mind 