Morgan Marshall

Comparison is a trap. It does not lead to life or truth in anyway. Comparison causes us to look at what other people have, who they are, and what they do and then tell ourselves, “I am not enough because I am not like them!”

Comparison is a problem. It’s a big problem because it traps us in a cycle of believing lies about ourselves and often about others too. When we compare ourselves to others, we are ultimately telling God, our creator, that He messed up in some way and we are not pleased with that.

Social media heightens the awareness and accessibility of comparison. We can instantly compare ourselves to hundreds of people, both those we do life with and those we have never met. We can see their best moments, their newest things, and their fanciest vacations. It is easy to get sucked into a social media binge, looking at all the things the “rest of the people” have that you do not.

Comparison pulls us down. It leads to depression, overspending, excessive desires, and controlling thoughts. It leads us to believe that we need more things, we need to do more things, and we need to be more. Comparison tells us that we can be better than the person next to us if we just try a little harder.

Do you see the trap yet? You probably didn’t need to read this to instinctively feel the trap I’m talking about. We’ve all felt this trap because we have all had times of feeling like we are not enough because of our perception of others.

God does not want us to live in this world trapped. He created us for freedom! He created us in unique ways, with specific gifts, and placed us in distinct places for certain times. He is not unaware of those around you and the gifts He gave them too.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)

So today, consider how you are comparing yourself to others. What is causing comparison? Is there something you can avoid (like social media) to help you not compare yourself to others?

And then be thankful! I try to end each day in gratitude by writing down one specific thing I am grateful for that day. Gratitude is the antidote to comparison. More on that in a future post! … 🙂