In Galatians 6:3-5, Paul encouraged the church to take careful stock of the work they do in the Spirit without comparing themselves to each other. He instructed them to be honest with themselves and take full responsibility for their spiritual calling.

Paul knew the ‘comparison game’ wasn’t a good thing. He recognized that it was another trap the enemy used to breed complacency, destroy contentment, create contempt, and kill confidence not only in ministry, but in a person’s everyday life.

The Bible is full of people who fell into this destructive trap! Do you remember the story of Jacob and Esau found in Genesis 25:29-34? The Bible says Esau “despised” his birthright. He hated what was his because he wanted something else. Both wanted something the other had and it created enmity between the twin brothers.

In Genesis 4 we learn of the story Cain and Abel. Cain killed his brother out of a jealousy that came from comparison. He didn’t look at what God wanted from him. He only looked at the fact that his brother’s offering was acceptable and his was not.

I can keep on going (Rachel and Leah/Jacob and His brothers), but I’ll let you do some digging for yourself. However, the reason this topic is so prevalent today is because of social media and other platforms alike.

The first thing most people do when they roll out of bed is pick up their devices, open up their favorite social media app and once logged on they’re immediately inundated with perfectly filtered pictures and highlights that drags them straight into the comparison trap. They begin to feel as though their life just doesn’t measure up.

Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, our 26th president of the United States, said it best about comparison when he exuberantly stated: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

I hope you find solace and joy in remembering that you were not chosen for someone else’s journey! You were chosen for yours! Your life is not a carbon copy of someone else’s life. Falling into the comparison trap will only leave you feeling less than enough! So don’t compare yourself to others!! Your marriage, your children, family, your vocation, and ministry have been uniquely designed and scripted by God (Psalm 139:16).

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