Hi everyone, I hope you are all fine by God’s grace. Today’s post is about comparison.
I guess we’ve all had a best friend even if it was just in our childhood. Do you remember that friend with whom you used to hang with every single break? That friend you used to share your snack with? That friend who knew every single one of your little secrets? I am sure you do.
Now do you remember those moments where your teacher/classmate/mom/dad used to compare you with your best friend? How did you feel? Personally, I think that feeling isn’t that disastrous if you don’t give in to it. Nevertheless, it’s what you tell yourself when you’re all alone which destroys you the most.
Do you remember those periods, where after having been compared to your best friend once, you automatically started comparing yourself to him/her all the time, trying to perform better?
It’s like by comparing two friends, we automatically create an atmosphere of discomfort and distrust, where the friend who has little self confidence feels in competition with the other. Parents shouldn’t always compare their children, since they have different abilities. However, the problem isn’t that someone else compares you with your friend, but that you unconsciously start comparing yourself with him/her all the time. Looking for their flaws and rejoicing whenever you’ve performed better than them in an aspect or another.
Let’s look at a story in The Bible which talks about comparison and Jealousy.
Genesis 4:3-7 KJV
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord . [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. [6] And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Do you notice that in this story, God didn’t compare Abel and Cain? Do you realize that God didn’t tell Cain “Why can’t you be like your brother Abel?”.
God didn’t compare them, but Cain did. Noticing that his brother’s offering was accepted by God and not his, he started comparing himself to his brother. That’s why he was so angry.
How many of us when faced with failures scream “What does he/she have so special?” instead of rejoicing of our friend’s success?
How many of us say these words in our hearts “What’s so special about him/her that every teacher gives him/her good grades?”.
This type of comparison can only lead to jealousy, anger or bitterness.
Genesis 4:8 NIV
Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
The truth is, it’s not because God liked Abel more that He approved of his offering. Rather, it’s because Abel did well in bringing to God the firstling of his flock. Abel gave the best and the first to God, while Cain contended himself with just giving something (not his first nor his best).
Let me tell you a secret: If you ever have to compare yourself with someone else, let it be to make yourself better, to improve on your skills, to learn.
Compare to improve, don’t compare to envy.
Compare to learn, don’t compare to hate.
Next time your heart will be inclined to comparing and envying, draw closer to the person in other to ask and learn from him/her how to become better at that task.
Perhaps things would have been different if Cain hadn’t nurtured anger against his brother but had asked him calmly to teach him how to make offerings which God would approve.Thus, let’s learn humility.
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, please help me avoid comparing if it isn’t to improve my skills and become a better person in The Lord. Preserve me from jealousy, I pray in Jesus Christ’s Name. Amen
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Thanks for reading.
God bless you all.
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