The Comparison Thief
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else. — Galatians 6:4
A few years ago, as my daughter prepared for her Earth Day chapel presentation on creation, we talked about various aspects of creativity, including what stifles it. When I said, “comparison is the thief of creativity,” she replied, “Wow! I’m definitely putting that quote in my powerpoint!!”
The more I thought about it, the more I realized the deep damage that comparison does to us emotionally, spiritually, psychologically, and physically. It is indeed a thief of creativity, but it also robs us of so much more.
There’s always someone who is prettier, wealthier, more confident, seemingly having it all together, while all we see are the flaws in, on, and around us.
For years, I let the clutter in my house keep me from inviting friends over. Or it threw me into such a tidying frenzy that my family steered clear of the madwoman with the dustbuster. How did other moms open their House Beautiful doors with such grace and apparent ease?
They didn’t.
Their stress was just hidden from my view. Maybe it isn’t their housekeeping, but somewhere in some way, they are struggling with confidence, just like you and me.
Satan tempts us to think that others have it easier than we do. Or that they are better in some way. He wants to keep us isolated, feeling alone even in the midst of a crowd. Our minds travel down paths that God never intended, believing that no one else faces the challenges we do, or that they conquer those challenges with ease. It’s all a lie.
Outside of heaven, perfection doesn’t exist.
Everyone has their own despair, drama, and unfulfilled dreams. But we don’t need to look for it in their lives to feel better about ourselves. We just need to be obedient to the One who knows it all and loves us anyway. If we’re doing the best we can, we can rest in that.
When a friend stopped by unexpectedly and saw the clutter I had always tried to hide, she let me know that it made her feel right at home! She preferred a “lived-in” house to a picture-perfect one. How often had I robbed myself of time with friends because of the way I or my house looked? How often had I robbed God by not participating in events or activities where He could have used me? All because I compared myself to others who were probably comparing themselves to me!
Ladies, there is only one perfect standard to compare ourselves to, and this side of glory, we’ll never be perfect. But the more we keep our eyes on Jesus, the more we will start to resemble Him, and the more we will be satisfied with how and who He made us to be.
“Usefulness is not impaired by imperfection. You can drink from a chipped cup.” – Greta K. Nagel
www.susanpanzica.com
A practical way to look at ourselves. Thank you for the insight. I think God is more concerned about our cluttered thoughts than our cluttered homes. I’m basing this in what Jesus said to Martha.
Oh so true, Susan. I have compared my life to other people’s life my entire life. I need to stop, and be grateful what I have.
Yes, Susan. Satan would have us focus on ourselves and steal our peace. Just as the hymn declares, when we “ turn our eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, the things on earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” That is where we find peace.