IS THERE REALLY ANY NEED FOR COMPARISON

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 2^nd 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.