No Comparison

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- October 3, 2010

No Comparison… “When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord what about him?’” John 21:21

Do not fall into the comparison trap. It is easy to do. As children, this happens all the time through sibling rivalries. Your common concern became how your brother or sister’s treatment can be compared with how you were treated. Inevitably someone cried foul. The complaint went something like, “That’s not fair!” This is what comparison does.

It breeds discontent and a sense of unfairness. This comparison game gets you into trouble every time. It is not healthy. Comparisons may start with childlike conniptions, progress to teen tantrums, and then settle into adult animosity. If you are the person comparing, you lose. You may never feel like you quite measure up, or you may feed your pride with a sense of superiority.

The comparison game includes your looks, your wrinkles, your hair (or lack of hair), your weight and private body parts. They all seem inadequate to the outside world of “perfection.” This is an unrealistic and unfair game to play. You will always lose. There will always be someone with a sleeker and more wrinkle-free body.

The same can be said for possessions. If you compare your house and car to others, you will live in perpetual disappointment. There is a continual flow of families who have the next bigger and better home and automobile. If acquisition of stuff is your goal, you will never have enough, because there will always be someone else who has a little bit more.

The comparison trap can even be set in your spiritual life. If you could just have as much faith as the other “godly” person you know. If you could just pray like they pray, give like they give and serve like they serve. Or, you may complain to God because sinners seem to get off scot-free, while you are penalized for what seems to be a much lesser offense.

The comparison game is a vicious circle that never stops. Get off this merry-go-round of discontent. Instead, embrace and celebrate the accomplishments of others. Let others inspire you to greater heights, not drive you with an unhealthy desire to compare.

God is the plumb line. He is your reference for reality. Let Christ be your point of comparison. You seek Him first and whatever His plan is for you. Your plan is unique to your personality, giftedness, experiences and place in life. Stay the course in becoming more like Jesus. Aspire to emulate His example and comply in obedience to His directions, commands, principles and values for your life.

Each day is a recalibration and alignment with His will. Fulfill your special place in the Body of Christ. A productive comparison is reviewing where you are today compared to where God has brought you. His faithfulness is real and undeniable. He is the undisputed champion of keeping His Word and taking care of His own. Compare Him to any other god of this world, and nothing is even a close second.

God blows away any category of comparison. No one’s love, holiness and grace can rival His. He is the author of them all. Love—God is the unconditional lover of men and women. Holiness—God’s wrath is to be feared above anything or anyone else. Grace—God’s grace is unmerited, undeserved but still available to all.

Therefore, resist comparing yourself to others. Stay content in Christ. Be inspired and motivated by aligning your expectations with God’s will for your life. And, lastly, be encouraged by understanding that nothing in this life holds a candle compared to the matchless and incorruptible character of God. Compare God and not people. There is no comparison with either!

Taken from the Dose 20 reading in Boyd Bailey’s Infusion. This 90-day devotional book is a compilation of the reader’s favorites from Wisdom Hunters daily devotional. Andy Stanley says, “I have walked with Boyd for over 20 years and I am definitely wiser for it. You are going to love this book!”