Comparing yourself to others is hazardous to your health

Why?

It can take our focus off of the task we are asked to do.  It can also allow us to mentally rate ourselves against another person’s performance.  This can cause us to belittle our contribution to the work of the Body of Christ or to make us feel like what we are doing is more important than what someone else is doing.

In John 21:21-22 when Peter asked “What about him?” referring to John and what type of death he would succumb to Jesus answered by saying basically don’t worry about him “You follow me”

In others words don’t worry about the other guy is or isn’t doing; the most important way of life is to follow Jesus. 

Another verse to look at is Luke 6:41-42

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thane own eye?

This is a classic verse on comparing yourself to someone else.  I know it mostly about

Judging someone else while you have hidden sin, but think about it if you compare yourself to someone else and find yourself wanting you are judging yourself by your own standards not God’s.  Likewise if you compare yourself to another and find that you have more abilities you are judging that person, again by your own standards not God’s

Comparing yourself is a foolish game to play?

We all have different gifts and talents so when we compare ourselves to someone else we are foolishly putting ourselves at a psychological advantage or disadvantage.  So my gift is not your gift.  If we combine our gifts we can work together in the body of Christ. 

Open your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 12:18-.27

Here Paul tells us that god made our bodies with many parts, each with a specific purpose.  One part cannot work without the other.  It is the same in the body of Christ, God made us with a specific purpose in mind so we should concentrate on fulfilling that purpose and not waste time on comparing ourselves to other people.

Comparison to another person, where God given gifts are concerned is foolish

You can free from the need to compare by:

1. acceptance of yourself and your talents as given to you by God
2. celebrating your calling as a gift from God
3. knowing that what you are doing is a privilege and is to used for God’s work no matter what you are doing or how well you do it.
4. realizing that God looks at us individually

Galatians 6:4-5 brings forth the idea that we are to do our own work for the personal satisfaction of knowing we have done our work well and then we will not need to compare ourselves to others. 

Remember we are all in this together.