The dictionary has
different definitions for the term comparison, but one of the definitions
defines comparison as the act of examining resemblances and the other
definition defines comparison as the relation based on similarities and differences.
As a person I have been so guilty of comparison and I would like to think you
too have been guilty of comparison at some point as well. We all have been
guilty of comparison at some point in time in our lives. We always have the
urge and desire to want to engage in comparison. Even as parents and especially
mothers we have been guilty of comparison, we have the urge to continuously
want to compare our kids with other kids. The truth about comparison is that comparison
breeds envy, competition and resentment. The fact is that whenever comparison
comes into play at any point its goal is usually to make the other person feel
inferior.
It’s difficult not to
make comparison but keeping ourselves in check is the way forward. According to
Lisa Bevere in her book Without Rival
‘’comparison is the thief of joy. Comparison is not inspiration. Comparison has
a pull to it. If allowed to, it will always move you away from your truest center.
Comparison will attempt to puff you up through the insidious vehicle of pride,
or it will push you down through the tyranny of insecurity. The brave do not
dare to compare, even if that comparison sees them coming out on top, they
realize that there are many more steps yet before them and for the cowardly
comparison acts as a refuge, who don’t dare to believe there is something more.
Rivalry will rob you unless you learn how to turn what the enemy meant for bad
into what God can use for good.’’. By comparing and breeding envy we forget
that everybody has their own specific purpose and assignment to fulfill in life
and that can only be achieved if we walk in our own individual paths and lanes. Someone else finishes school at 20 years and another at 25 years, someone gets
married and gets a child immediately, another gets married and it takes some
time to have a child. Someone gets married at 25, another in their 30s and some
in their 40s.The foolishness that is inherent in comparison of lives is the kind that needs exorcism to expel. Rather than comparing yourself with others, where you are and what
you have not achieved; remember the faithfulness of God and where He has
brought you from trusting that God is faithful to bring His purpose to pass in
your life for as long as you stay focused on Him and in your own lane. One
scriptures that comes to mind is 2nd Corinthians 10 vs 12
King James Version
10:12 for we dare not
make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:
but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves,
are not wise.
The
Message Bible
12. We’re not, understand, putting ourselves in a
league with those who boast that they’re our superiors. We wouldn’t dare do that.
But in all this comparing and grading and competing, they quite miss the point.
We are unique before God
with our own individual attributes and qualities. Comparison breeds envy,
bitterness and low self esteem. Comparison removes all our individual
uniqueness. When we stop comparing ourselves
to each other, we are in a better position to accept our self with our short
coming and be willing to improve on it, thereby making the best use of our life, gifting and talents. Another scripture that comes to mind is the parable of
the talent in Mathew 25 vs 14-15.
New Living Translation.
14. Again the kingdom of Heaven can be
illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his
servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.
15.He
gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of
silver to the last-dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left
on his trip.
Message Bible
14
“it’s also like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants
together and delegated responsibilities.
15
to one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand,
depending on their abilities. Then he left.
Specifically it was
said that the talents were distributed according to their capabilities, which
means their various specific individual gifting according to their specific
ability emphasizing their individual uniqueness thereby eliminating comparison,
competition and rivalry. We have to understand that life is not a competition
and that there is really no need for comparison. Some people will be better
than you and you will be better than some others, what is important is that as
individuals we continually seek to daily improve our selves. I saw this caption
on one of the social media some time ago and it totally left an impression in
my heart.
Photo Credit : internet
In conclusion guys
there is really no need for comparison .We all are different, unique and are
supposed to achieve different things in life at different times, filling up different voids in
life which is the very essence of uniqueness which is to complement one another
and not to be the same. Comparison defeats that essence and most times only
breeds resentment, anger, bitterness and hatred in our hearts, making us have very uninteresting lives and destroying our own confidence. Let’s discover our unique gifting, encouraging
ourselves and others in their specific areas of strength and ensuring that we
all work hand in hand in propagating Christ while staying in our own
individual lanes.
Until our next post guys
remember Comparison does nothing but harm to us all.Remain rapturable.