Cancel Comparison
We live in a world where just looking at an Instagram post causes us to wonder if we are good enough and watching a 15-second video makes us second guess who we are. Comparison creeps into our lives and is continually more difficult to recognize.
I believe that every person struggles with comparison. I can say that I definitely do. So, while writing about one of my weaknesses is not easy, it is genuinely freeing.
The enemy has caused our culture today to elevate comparison. We learn throughout the Bible that comparison is a tactic of the enemy. John 10:10 says this, “The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy;”
Comparison Does Three Things:
1. Steals Perspective
2. Kills Joy
3. Destroys Confidence
We find ourselves being obsessed with what others think about us which is the quickest way for us to forget what God says about who we are. We are HIS children, we are loved, and we are called by Jesus.
We Get So Caught Up In Comparing Ourselves To The People Around Us When We Really Should Be Comparing Ourselves To Christ.
COMPARISON STEALS PERSPECTIVE.
When we compare ourselves to others, it can often take over our thought life. We can so easily get caught up in the wrong mindset. We can so easily become overwhelmed by the thought of “What do they think of me?” or “If only I were like them.” Having these thoughts is truly time consuming and rarely results with a positive attitude. Our perspective slowly fades. The words that Jesus has said about us quickly become quieter in our ears. Our mindset shifts to one of having to be “good enough.” The perspective we have of who God created us to be seems to slowly become stolen.
COMPARISON KILLS JOY.
Let’s imagine a little boat floating on the water and suddenly someone decides to push it down to the point that it fills with water and sinks. In this illustration, our joy is the boat, comparison is the water, and the enemy is the person pushing the boat down. When we compare ourselves to others' lives, it is so easy to become frustrated with our own. We can have so much joy and be doing just fine when suddenly, Satan takes a foothold and tries to fill our minds with thoughts of envy, comparison, or jealousy. Our joy begins to be “sunk” by competing thoughts. We can easily let the enemy kill our joy if we are not being careful.
COMPARISON DESTROYS CONFIDENCE.
In the midst of comparison, it becomes a danger zone for our confidence. Comparison fosters insecurity and we are called to live with confidence in who God created us to be. The thing is, God created each of us differently.
“For you created my innermost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
– Psalm 139:13–14
Therefore, our confidence shouldn’t derive from how we compare ourselves to other people. The confidence we have should come from our Heavenly Father.
The second part of John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.” What a profound statement that Jesus made. He desires for us to not just have life, but have it to the fullest. Although comparison is an easy trap to get stuck in, God can wholly equip us to recognize it and be aware of the hurt it can cause us. And, because of Jesus, we can have hope for the life He has planned out for us. I don’t know about you, but comparison seems a lot less scary knowing that I have God on my side. Now, that is something to cling to.
