Comparison is a Lie: A Devotion of Encouragement

Comparison is a trap no matter which way you look at it. Jesus doesn’t compare you to anyone else. Jesus spoke against comparison. Jesus tells us we are all equal. Even more than being equal, He tells us to put ourselves last. If Jesus doesn’t compare you to others, then why would you compare yourself to others? What is the gain? When has comparison ever contributed to your life in a positive way? Jesus tells us we are equally important to His kingdom. Don’t get equality and sameness confused. Equally useful and useful in the same way are terms that can be easily manipulated. For example, sameness would mean you and I run at the same pace. Equality means I can run faster than you, but you can lift more weight than me. Together we can accomplish many things since I can run fast and you can lift heavier weight. Who is to say one is more important or better than the other. I tell you, the one that says one is more important than the other is guilty of comparison.

I was at the gym today. I was running on the treadmill this morning when a man came in. He came over to a treadmill next to me, started walking on it a few minutes and got off. I spoke to him later and he said he didn’t want to be on the treadmill next to me because I was running fast and he felt bad that he wouldn’t have been able to keep up with me. It truly broke my heart. First, I would never want to make anyone feel insecure. Second, it reminded me how evil comparison is. Comparison prevented him from being able to take one step closer to his personal goal. Comparison creeps in and steals our joy, steals our motivation, and steals our courage. The saddest part of the situation is that I cannot count how many times over my life that I have done the same thing at a gym, and in life in general. You must muster everything you have within you to overcome this lie, and lean into Jesus. Don’t lose focus because you are comparing yourself to someone else, and remember that most likely that person is struggling to not compare himself or herself to someone else also. Do you think I am the strongest or fastest person in my gym? Heck no! I wish. Don’t, just don’t let it happen whatever the situation. It is never from God.

God made you just the way He needed you to be to fulfill your part of His kingdom. If you don’t know what that purpose is, or you feel you have no skill or quality to contribute, then it is safe to say you have been deceived by the lies of the enemy. I am here today to tell you that you have purpose. You are important. You are needed. Most importantly, God has a task for you; not me, not your sibling, not anyone else, but you. He has selected you from billions of people to serve that purpose.

Today is as good as any other to begin walking in your purpose. The Kingdom needs you. The Church needs you. Your family needs you. I need you. I know we cannot do what God commands us to do, if we don’t all do it together. There is no comparison in the Kingdom of God. There are only people with unique gifts and skills perfectly arranged for the mission God has waiting for them. It doesn’t matter how long you have been a Christian, or if you are even Christian at the reading of this. It doesn’t matter how smart or strong or old or young you are. Instead of looking at the person next to you and comparing yourself to them, ask Jesus what he has set you apart to do. Instead of saying “why can’t I…”, say “how can I serve you Lord?” I promise you that if God wants you to do something, He will provide you the means. The last thing I would say is start making it a habit to not compare yourself by complimenting those that can do something that you cannot do, and it doesn’t have to be aloud although I am sure they would appreciate it. For example, my church has an amazing worship pastor. I am so thankful for him and his ability, because I have no musical ability at all. I celebrate his gifts. I would be very depressed if I tried to compare myself to him, but I know that God has gifted me in different ways which allows us to both serve the kingdom.

I love you all. You are all important. Do not let the lie of comparison take away from you what is rightfully yours. Stay encouraged. Keep striving to be better than you were yesterday. I leave you with Romans 12:3-8, which plainly states what I wrote above. Thank you for reading. God bless you all.

Romans 12:3-8

3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (NASB)

Do you have an encouraging word for other readers? Or a lesson learned? What you say could add value to someone else's life. I would love to hear from you.