{"id":85,"date":"2017-07-21T22:28:24","date_gmt":"2017-07-22T03:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/?p=85"},"modified":"2017-09-15T12:51:41","modified_gmt":"2017-09-15T17:51:41","slug":"the-danger-of-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconciledworld.org\/flourish\/the-danger-of-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"The Danger of Comparison"},"content":{"rendered":"

I\u2019ve always struggled with comparing myself to others. <\/span><\/p>\n

As an insecure, skinny kid, I often found myself wishing I was as fast as my classmate Troy or as smooth as Louis. My grades were good, but not as good as Mike and Drew. I loved drama and theatre, but never got the lead role like Zach did. There was always someone bigger, better, or faster, and I typically wished I was them.<\/span><\/p>\n

As I look back now, I realize that I was young and immature. Na\u00efve to the temptations that my identity was somehow wrapped up in the color of the ribbon I received. Certainly as I grew in my relationship with God, married the most beautiful girl in school, and was unleashed into ministry for the Lord, such games of comparing myself to others would stop. Right?<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet, the urge to compare is still there. Even now in vocational ministry, the battle within still rages. My parenting is not what James Dobson writes about, my ministry isn\u2019t as fruitful as other pastors, and my sermons are lame compared to Francis Chan! <\/span><\/p>\n

How about you? Is this a struggle you wrestle with as well? Do you compare yourself to co-workers, other program leaders, or other pastors\/teachers? <\/span><\/p>\n

Better or worse; which one?<\/b><\/p>\n

As time has passed, I have also discovered something new happening. Not only do the old feelings of inadequacy continue, but I also find myself fighting with the opposite \u2013 pride. Sometimes I am not <\/span>good enough<\/span><\/i>. Other times I am <\/span>better than<\/span><\/i>. More dependable than him, wiser than her, a better teacher, preacher, leader than them\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter the situation our comparisons leave us empty. Whether feelings of inferiority or superiority, pride or pity, we need to know that God has a different way. Here are two reminders and two encouragements to help us out. <\/span><\/p>\n

Two Reminders<\/b><\/p>\n

1. Comparing is coveting, which is a sin<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Comparison is selfishness and greed with a mask. Here is another way to put it: \u201cI want what she has. I want his calling. I want her lifestyle. I want his anointing from God. I want her ministry fruitfulness.\u201d Basically, it\u2019s you saying, \u201cI want his life, because, God, I don\u2019t like the one you gave me.\u201d <\/span>[1]<\/span><\/p>\n

Comparing can lead us down a dangerous path towards jealousy, possessiveness, and coveting, and the Bible has a few things to say about that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Colossians 3:5: <\/span>\u201cPut to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

2. Comparisons downplay God\u2019s standards. <\/b><\/p>\n

No matter how hard you work, someone else will always be better. In 2 Corinthians 10:12 Paul says:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

God doesn\u2019t call us to hold ourselves to the standards of others, but to His standards alone. So as leaders, we shouldn\u2019t worry if our ministry isn\u2019t \u201cmeasuring up\u201d to someone else\u2019s work, and we shouldn\u2019t gloat if our stats seem better than the organization across town. <\/span>[2]<\/span><\/p>\n

The world\u2019s standards will always change, but God\u2019s standards will always remain the same. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you find yourself constantly measuring your work against others, here are three questions you can ask yourself that may help you refocus and recenter your attitude:<\/span><\/p>\n