The Comparison Trap – Part 1

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, Galatians 6:4

Nothing will destroy your peace of mind faster than comparing. It shows a lack of understanding and makes you ‘behave unwisely’ (2 Corinthians 10:12). Cain measured himself against his brother Abel, and it ended in murder. When the disciples compared notes to see who among them would suffer and who would be spared, Jesus told them, ‘That is not your business’ (John 21:23). Observe: 1) Comparisons can make you feel superior, which leads to pride. Remember the Pharisee who made a great show of thanking God because he was better than everybody else? (see Luke 18:11). Pride was Satan’s downfall; that’s why he loves it when you struggle in the same trap. 2) Comparisons can make you feel inferior, which leads to low self-esteem and keeps you focused on yourself. You overlook the truth that ‘God doesn’t play favorite’s (Acts 10:34) and start believing He’s withholding things that are rightfully yours. Society creates a sense of entitlement; then Satan reminds you of all the people who’ve already attained what you want, which propels you further down the road to discontentment. Anne Peterson says: ‘Satan’s lies have a little truth mixed in, which makes them harder to recognize. We need to refute them by saturating ourselves with the truth…it’s only by learning the Scriptures that we can sort them out.’ 3) We attempt to bring God down to our level by comparing how He’s working now with how He worked in the past. Stop trying to figure God out, and trust Him! ‘The way [God] work[s] surpasses the way you work, and the way [He] think[s] is beyond the way you think’ (Isaiah 55:9). Instead of comparing, start using and appreciating what God has blessed you with.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to stop comparing myself with others and to trust You and what You are doing with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen