How many times have I railed (intransitive verb) against comparing? All the time! When you think about it… what does comparing do for you? After you’ve done your comparing… do you feel better about yourself? I would argue that the results of comparing is never positive. So why engage in unproductive and self-defeating behavior (one rarely comes out positively in comparing)? Surely there’s a purpose for you in this activity?
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” (Galatians 6:4, MSG)
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget your-selves long enough to lend a helping hand.” (Philippians 2:1-4, MSG)
“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6, MSG)
Will these scriptures end the endless comparing we do? Probably not. So what will stop us? Trust and Confidence – in YOURSELF, who you’re becoming, what you’re doing, and especially Whose you are – would be my suggestion. Actually… you need to look at yourself. If you are going to do any comparing it should be in terms of yourself – have you grown? are you growing? What are YOU doing about being your best you.?
When it comes to trust and confidence, we are really talking about you… IF you know yourself and acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, IF you focus on becoming your best you – that is the perfect starting point. There was a phrase used in a program I was watching. One of the characters recommended to another character – “… more being, less doing…” as the best mindset. Agree? If not, why not… and if you do – why?
Think about it. If your goal is to become the best you, then it isn’t selfish… you aren’t looking at material/carnal ‘accomplishments’ so there’s no need to compare. ‘Being in charge’ or having the power isn’t a focus. You can do what scripture says in Galatians, Philippians, and 2 Corinthians – don’t do the don’ts and do the do’s. If we weren’t able to do so, we never would have been instructed this way. Comparing only gets in the way.
