“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.”   II Corinthians 10:12

I have always struggled with comparison.  I wanted to be as good an athlete as the superstars.  I wanted the teachers to honor me and pastors to recognize God’s hand on my life.  I wanted my bosses to respect me, the girls to like me, and my peers to admire me.

As I lived my life in comparison and searched for the approval of others, I realized that I fueled my insecurities and discounted the uniqueness that God had planted inside of me.  By trying to be like others, I walked away from the person that God had created me to be.  By trying to be funny, I forgot to be sincere.  By working to be noticed, I forgot to be authentic and honest.  By trying to get the attention of girls, I forgot to be myself.  And by trying to fit in, I forgot that I was created to stand out.

As conviction began to hit and I began to realize my addiction to attention and comparison, I thought I was the only one.  I was sure I was the only person who was struggling with this issue, but then I realized that my thinking wasn't at all true.  What I felt and the way that I was responding to life was very common.  Now, many years later, I am aware that this is a universal ailment.  Most of us struggle with this common disease.

We compare ourselves with others and wonder why we don’t look like them.  They either have the perfect hair, the perfect body, or the perfect skin (my wife threw that one in…not something guys worry about much).  We look at the accomplishments of others and wonder why we aren’t as smart as them, as confident, as athletic, or as successful.  We even look at their faith and complain that they have more knowledge, passion, and courage, or stronger belief.

Instead of praying that God would work in our life and build in us the characteristics that He desires, we selfishly try to power our own progress.  But, if we spend all of our time comparing ourselves with others, we will become discouraged and disheartened. 

That is not a good way to live.

God knows who you are and who He created you to be.  He knows the gifts that are inside of you and He knew before time began how you would best authentically express your love to Him.  He knows what you are going to be good at and He knows how you best fit the calling that He placed on your life.

Comparison only steals your focus and robs you of your confidence.  Pursing Christ, on the other hand, inspires courage and emboldens the gifts that are already inside of you. 

If you have a habit of looking at others and figuring out how you measure up, you have an uphill climb to get to the place where you can trust Christ with your identity.  But you can do it.  He is in you, He is with you, and if you let Him, He will work that miracle in your life.  And as that journey begins, you will develop a view of yourself that is harmonious with the way the Creator sees you.