Have you ever been so proud of an accomplishment, only to be “overshadowed” by someone else? No matter how “good” you do in this life, there is always someone who is doing better. Why am I struggling so? Why is it so easy for everyone else? Or is it? We can react in two ways: We can become bitter and give up, thinking that we’ll never be as good as “so and so,” or we can pick ourselves up by the “bootstraps,” so to speak and let other’s success show us what can be done – if we’re willing to do what they did. That’s the hard part – taking action and doing what needs to be done, so that we also reach the level of success that we desire.
In order to make ourselves look good, we have a tendency to compare ourselves with very poor examples. I’ve heard someone comment, “Well, I’m as good as “he” is, I saw him at the bar the other night. Should we base our eternal destiny on the actions of an unfaithful Christian or hold any human up on such a pedestal? Paul tried to explain to the church in Corinth, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” We shouldn’t compare ourselves to each other – only Jesus lived a perfect life here on earth. How do you compare with Him? The word Christian means “Christ-like.” Any other comparison is going to come up lacking.
Theodore Roosevelt is credited as saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Trying to “keep up with the Jones” will only bring disappointment. We must go back to the Word, as Jeremiah urged the people in his day, when he said, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16). Praying for your courage to move forward, for we are simply blessed, Courtney