A Deadly Comparison



2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT states,

“Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!”

 

  Today I am going to be talking about the two main concepts of comparison and how we as Christians can learn to live in a world where it seems finding the faults in others becomes the discretion of finding our strengths. Comparison is seen as a destroyer of joy, and our personality only truly begins when we stop comparing ourselves to others.

 

  First, and foremost, “Comparison is the thief of joy”.
(All Rights Belong To Photographer: Amber Nicole Ginter, 2015)
 
 

As stated by Theodore Roosevelt, comparison can be seen as the thief of joy because it robs us of today’s successes, and tomorrow’s victories.  If we are constantly thinking about how much prettier, smarter, more athletic, and talented someone else is, our mind forgets the personal successes we have obtained for ourselves today.  For example, as a dancer, I constantly have the battle of thinking that the other girls in class are more talented than me, but the reality of it is we all have our own strengths and weaknesses.  And more importantly by engaging in this type of mentality, I am comparing myself to others and their standards instead of God, and who He wants me to be.
(All Rights Belong To Photographer: Amber Nicole Ginter, 2015)
 

  In fact, as the Bible states in the verse we looked at earlier, “by comparing ourselves to others, and using them as a standard of measurement this only makes us ignorant” to what God has in store for us today, and the plans He prospers for us tomorrow. But in looking to God as our comparison and letting that embodiment surround our mind and thoughts, we can begin to restore the joy that has been taken from us, and see those successes and victories He gives us every single day.  When we learn that it is not the earthly persons, objects and morals we should be looking at, but God and His realm of Heavenly perfections comparison will no longer be seen as a thief of joy, but a reflection of becoming more like God.

  Second, “personality begins where comparison leaves off”.

As stated and paraphrased by Shannon Adler, finding our true personality can only be found when we leave the comparison of others behind.  Think about it.  Being created by a God who made you as a unique, special, and loving individual, we are not exactly like anyone else in the world.  Sure, there may be people who are similar to you, look like you, or act like you, but no one is really you, but you.  Someone will always be taller, skinner, or smarter than you, but guess what? That is okay! You were created to be the personality of someone that reflects you and no one else.  Not the girl with the so called “perfect body” or the guy with the “six pack that can run a mile in three minutes”.  But an individual with your own quips and quirks of a disposition that only you have the ability to define.

  Don’t worry about saying how wonderful and important other men are as 2 Corinthians 10:12 states, for that will only lead you to ignorance and a life of despair.

  So in summary, don’t let comparison be the thief of your joy, or the identity of your personality.  Walk on the path of least resistance that helps you to become more like God, and learn that the only one you need to be comparing yourself to is Him, and who He wants you to become.

 

(All Rights Belong To Photographer: Amber Nicole Ginter, 2015)
 

 

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