Comparison

This week we are featuring guest devotionals written by members of our congregation. Today, Paul Leasum:

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

Comparison comes naturally to us.  It comes from a need for acceptance and to feel like we “measure up.” It has been a part of the human experience since the beginning, and when practiced the wrong way, led to real problems.

There are multiple stories in the Bible where comparison had terrible consequences. Cain was jealous of his brother Abel which led to murder. Jacob and Esau each wanted what the other had which created a split in the family. It wasn’t until Jacob was humbled that reconciliation happened. Saul was jealous of David.  I think you get the point!  In each of the stories, they began to question why God had blessed the other over themselves. This led to resentment, jealousy, frustration, idolatry, murder, and in every case, the death of joy. When teaching, Paul had a lot to say about comparison and how it affected God’s will in our lives:

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves.  But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

- 2 Corinthians 10:12

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

- Galatians 6:4

While we may not completely eliminate negative comparison from our lives, we can do something about it through prayer and practice. Social media, television, reading materials, and music among others, are all places we are tempted. Did you know the average person spends 145 minutes per day on social media? That’s lots of information! We can choose what kind of information, though, by filtering out that which is harmful. A good way to gauge this is to be aware of how it makes you feel. Do you feel angry, stressed, jealous, or resentful? Do you have a negative reaction? Make a choice to change this. You can start by filtering it out. Unfollow… eliminate certain reading materials… don’t watch programs that make you feel that way. On the surface, this may seem simple, but trust me, it takes practice. Just do it and see what a difference it makes!

Another form of practice is proclamation and declaration, which are some of the most powerful weapons we have when in the throws of spiritual warfare. International Bible teacher and author, Derek Prince, said declaration is one of the most powerful weapons we have against the enemy. Observe your feelings, then proclaim them to be what they are and make a declaration of change! This will help to minimize the influence of comparison, which can lead to so many negative consequences.

Idolatry is developed through covetous thoughts toward our neighbor and what they have achieved or obtained. Through this, we miss the blessing of their fellowship, and we diminish our ability to see what God has for us. I have personally seen this in my own life.

We can celebrate the victories others experience - and we should - but we shouldn’t compare our lives to theirs. The more we do, the further we get from our ability to see what God has for us and His will for our lives. Press in and focus on God’s will for you, not on what He is doing in other people’s lives. Pray for God’s vision and proclaim good will, peace, gratitude, and love. Declare the negative feelings powerless. You have been blessed with abilities and gifts all your own. Ask God how He wants you to use them, then proclaim your commitment and declare victory over the negative consequences of comparison! The lens through which you view the world will greatly improve because you’ll begin to see things the way God intended.

Remember: You are worthy. You are good enough. You are chosen. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are a child of God!

Now that’s a proclamation worth repeating every day when talking with our Heavenly Father, and I know He will be happy to hear from you!

Paul

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