Perspectives

When we compare ourselves to others

By Tim Morrow
Posted 8/22/19

Comparison is the thief of joy” is a phrase I first heard from my wife many years ago. 

So, I always preface the expression by saying, “As my wife Jill says ...,” when in …

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Perspectives

When we compare ourselves to others

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Comparison is the thief of joy” is a phrase I first heard from my wife many years ago. 

So, I always preface the expression by saying, “As my wife Jill says ...,” when in reality, the statement is attributed to Theodore Roosevelt. But, as far as I’m concerned, I’ll always credit my lovely bride. 

It is a powerful thought. It is saying that when we compare ourselves to others, it robs us of the joy of who God created us to be. 

The problem is we do it all the time, and in turn, we find ourselves never satisfied because of comparison. We do this in two ways and both have negative effects. 

One, we compare ourselves from a prideful or arrogant position. We think we are the best, therefore to stay in that lofty position, we find people who are not as “good” (at whatever) as we are and compare ourselves with them. The problem here is that we never are satisfied with who God created us to be, which becomes a problem of humility and thankfulness.

The comparison itself is often the platform of our pride. C.S Lewis said, “It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest.” This is a hard way of living, and definitely not a joyous one.

The second way we compare ourselves is as a sort of “self-loathing.” We feel inadequate with who God created us to be, and therefore the comparison of ourselves to others is the constant reminder of dissatisfaction, therefore robbing us of joy.

Some might call this a lack of self-esteem. I’d rather say it is a lack (as with pride) of being thankful for what God has given you. Now, other factors can obviously come into play. But comparing ourselves to others is missing the gifts God has given you in your own life. This is also a difficult way of living, and certainly not joyous.

Lest you think that “Pastor Tim” isn’t grounding all this in scripture (after all, this is the pastor’s section), let’s consider II Corinthians 10:12. Paul says to the Corinthian church, “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.” 

Wow, did you see that last line?  “... They are not wise.” God did not create you, gift you, call you, place you and save you by his grace for you to compare yourself with anyone else. You are God’s special creation, created in his image. Do not let the joy of that be robbed by looking around at everyone else’s things, toys, abilities, etc. Give thanks today for who God made you to be!

 

(Tim Morrow is the pastor of New Life Church of Powell.)

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