UNDO: Comparison (Week 1)
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COMPARISON
Comparison is an Identity Problem
I distort my own identity in the imagined perception of another’s identity.
We feel, even if only subconsciously, that we don’t belong in our cities, communities, workplaces, families, or even our own bodies just as we are.
Ephesians 3:19 NLT: May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
To love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, you will have to be yourself long enough to let him love you with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. But as long as we are hiding behind different identities, we will be like Adam and Eve: separating ourselves from a Father who wants to help us.
John 15:9-10 NLT: “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
"Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion." - Brennan Manning
Comparison is a Competition Problem
"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man... It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone." –CS Lewis
If removing competition removes pride from those who think they are above others, then it also removes insecurity from those who think they are below.
2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV: We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.
All people and all seasons are not the same. Know yourself. Know your season.
Galatians 1:10 NIV: Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
You don’t have to seek to be special. Your specialness is given, not earned.
I Corinthians 4:7 AMP: For who regards you as superior or what sets you apart as special? What do you have that you did not receive [from another]? And if in fact you received it [from God or someone else], why do you boast as if you had not received it [but had gained it by yourself]?
We should neither boast nor despair. In all things, we’re seen and valuable.
Sarah Jakes Roberts: "Do not compare your growth with anyone else's. The only person you are competing with is who you were yesterday."
Psalm 37:1-8 AMP: Do not worry because of evildoers, Nor be envious toward wrongdoers; 2 For they will wither quickly like the grass, And fade like the green herb. 3 Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in Him also and He will do it. 6 He will make your righteousness [your pursuit of right standing with God] like the light, And your judgment like [the shining of] the noonday [sun]. 7 Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; Do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger and abandon wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evil.
I am not in control.
I am not in a hurry.
I walk in faith and hope.
I greet everyone with peace.
I bring back only what God gives me.
(Pilgrim's Credo)
