A Word Of Encouragement For When We Compare

Comparison is a sneaky distraction, isn’t it? It pops up when we least expect it, and it robs us of our peace and our joy. When we compare ourselves with others, we take our eyes off God and set them on what others do, have, and are, and what we don’t, what we’re missing, and who we aren’t. This distraction of comparison is not our friend.

Think back to this week. Did you, at any given point, compare yourself to another? If you did, I think you’re in good company. It’s something many of us women do, not intentionally, most likely, but we do it nonetheless. Yet, we don’t like it. And this reminds me of how Paul said it in Romans 7:15 MSG:

What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. 

Romans 7:15 MSG

I can relate to Paul when it comes to comparison.

Maybe you can, too.

This week on the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast, episode 63, we discuss this distraction of comparison, and I share of a recent story where comparison completely derailed me. You can listen to the 16-minute episode here. I believe this is a tool the enemy of my soul continues to use against me, often when I least expect it or when I feel I have conquered comparison. (Silly me!) This enemy knows how to push our buttons and what takes us off course, and he knows comparison does that for me.

After asking for God’s forgiveness (again), ever since that derailment, I’ve been praying for Him to help me overcome this distraction. We both know I can’t do this on my own. I’ve tried, and it doesn’t work. Only in His power and in His strength can I combat this sneaky distraction. So, I’m walking as close to Him as I can in this.

When we compare, we lose much.

• When we compare, we forget how God created us. Who He made us to be (Psalm 139).
• When we compare, we forget the blessings God has given us. And we long for the blessings He’s given someone else.
• When we compare, we miss what God has for us in the here in now. We miss what He’s doing in our lives in the moment.
• When we compare, we lose our peace and joy. Because we focus on someone else’s peace and joy.
• When we compare, we want what someone else has. Even though what we have is a gift.
• When we compare, we take our focus off of God. We place that focus on lesser things.
• When we compare, we struggle with our worth. Because we transfer our worth on to someone or something else.

This distraction of comparison is certainly not God’s best for us.

When we’re tempted to compare ourselves with another, let’s whisper a prayer instead. Something like:

“Lord, she has what I don’t have. Help me not to compare, but to rejoice in both gifts… hers and mine.”

“Lord, I am struggling with comparison today. Would You please align my thoughts to Yours and keep my focus on You, instead?”

“Father God, I can’t stop comparing her ________ (life, success, blessing, calling, etc.) with mine. I want to remain in this moment and receive what You have for me. Please help me with this distraction.”

So today, friend, I pray you and I keep our thoughts fixed on Jesus. I pray we live in the moment and remember who we are and Whose we are. I pray we do not let the distraction of comparison rob us of one more thought, one more moment, one more gift, one more blessing.

Let’s just be who God created us to be.

…let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t.

Romans 12:6a MSG

Amen? Amen.

Thank you for being here, friend. You are a gift to me and I appreciate you! Have a wonderful, comparison-free, focused-on-the-Lord day!

Much love,