The Comparison Battle

Very rarely do I have an original thought. But let's be honest, how many of us actually have original thoughts? How much of what we think and what we believe and understand comes from what is actually within our own minds and how much of it comes from what we read, hear, or see?

The reason I ask is because I wanted to share yet another thing from a sermon at church that left me feeling convicted. So buckle up for another sermon recap of things that I did not come up with on my own but want to share with others in hopes of spreading the knowledge.

This week's sermon was about comparisons which is something that I unfortunately know all too well. Not only am I guilty of constantly comparing myself to other people based on appearance, fitness, teaching skills, friendships, relationships, etc, but this is something I see every single day with my High School kids. Not that I have the monopoly on comparisons. We all deal with it right? I mean, if we are really honest with ourselves, we are constantly comparing ourselves to others. Either putting ourselves down because we aren't like other people, or building ourselves up because we think we are better than other people. Or we see someone's Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook post and just think, "Seriously? I can't believe that person is engaged." Or "I can't believe that person is in Hawaii." Or "I can't believe they are having a baby already." Either way, it's something we all do and it's something that people have been doing for thousands of years.

John 21: 20-15 says:

Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved - the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, "Lord, who will betray you?" Peter asked Jesus, "What about him, Lord?"

Jesus replied, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me." So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is it to you?"

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate.

Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.

To give a little background, this conversation between Peter and Jesus happens after Jesus tells Peter to feed his sheep and Follow Him. Jesus also tells Peter how he is going to die. Crazy right? Being told how you are going to die and how if you follow him, your life will be a part of his plan that he already knows the ending to? But Peter doesn't relish in the fact that Jesus is asking him to be a part of his plan. Peter rather focuses on someone else. He asks Jesus, "What about him, Lord?" Seriously? You are with FREAKING JESUS and he is revealing your life to you and inviting you to be a part of His plan and you are worried if someone else has a better plan than you?

Comparison is not something that is new. I mean, for crying out loud, the disciples started comparing themselves to one another even when they asked Jesus who would sit at His right hand in the Kingdom. There are some major problems and pitfalls of comparisons.

1. Comparisons are ALWAYS unfair: we are different people with different gifts. It is not even fair to compare yourself to someone who is completely different from you in every single way.
2. Comparisons rob us of PRECIOUS time: I mean, this one has Peter written all over it right? He was with Jesus in the final recorded moments before his ascension and instead of living in that moment, he is busy comparing himself and his plan to the plans Jesus had for the other disciples.
3. Comparison is NOT measurable: comparisons are not fair because we have no way of measuring who or what is better? Nothing will ever measure up.
4. Comparison puts focus on the WRONG person: God is a God of abundance. He gives us EVERYTHING we need and more. He wants to give things to us and share with us and share in our lives.
5. Comparison lead to RESENTMENT: when things don't measure up, we are going to eventually start resenting. 
6. Comparison deprives us of JOY: when our hearts are filled with resentment, there is no room to rejoice and be glad in the positive things that are happening to others around us or even to ourselves. 

I love Jesus' response to Peter when he compares himself to another disciple: "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what's it to you?" Hilarious right? What's it to you? What do you care? Why does it matter to you? What's even better, is the disciples didn't even understand his snarky response. They all start rumors saying that this disciple is going to live forever or whatever, but that's not at all what he was saying. 

So how do we stop comparing ourselves to others? Cause let's be honest, we all do it. And it's definitely something that I struggle with BIG TIME. 

1. Celebrate your gifts: Ephesians 4:7 says "He has give each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ." We all have been given special gifts and if we spend less time worrying about other people and their gift and more time celebrating and nurturing our own gifts, we might live a more content and satisfied life. 
2. Pursue what excited you: within the gifts we are given, put them to use in something that excited you and makes you happy. Don't just celebrate your gifts but use them.
3. Live with Gratitude: Be thankful for what you have. Again, God is a God of abundance and showers us with everything we need. Be thankful for what you have been given. 
4. If you need to compare, compare with yourself: If you can't stop comparing, compare yourself to yourself. Are you better that you were a year ago? Are you close to the Lord? Are you better at your job? Are you a better friend? Sister? Mother? Father?
5. FOLLOW JESUS: this really is the big one and above all of the others, this is the most important. Follow Jesus with your whole heart and there won't be time or room for anything else.