Stop Comparing

Have you ever found yourself comparing your life's journey to that of others? You invariably come up short, right? They seem to have things so much better than you do. "Why do I have such a cruddy life?" I have a friend who sold his business for mega-bucks; the sort of money that you and I can scarcely imagine. And while he's in the process of giving most of his wealth away, he'll never face the kind of cash flow crunches that we ordinary folk do. I've thought of him often when, at times in ministry, we couldn't pay our staff on time. I have another friend who is so incredibly good-looking. He lives a charmed life, flying around the world business class as a sought-after conference speaker, regaling large crowds with his brilliance and insight. I've thought of him often while cramped in the second-last row of economy on a 14-hour flight. Now, do you see what I've done there? I've cherry-picked the good parts of their lives without telling you of their struggles – and that's exactly what we do when we compare ourselves to others. Galatians 6:4-5 Don't compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. You must each accept the responsibilities that are yours. Why do we measure our lot in life against others, rather than focusing on the good we've already done and the opportunities that lie ahead? The reality is that comparisons breed either pride or insecurity – neither of which is good for us; neither of which honours God. Here's some powerful, godly wisdom that you can bring to bear in your life right here, right now, forevermore: stop comparing yourself with others. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.