My Big Fat Mouthنموونە

Destroy These Comparison Traps 

Comparison seems to be the default of every part of our life. Think about it. How do you know when you have the best price on a car? You compare. When are you pleased with your waist size? You compare (preferably to larger). How do you know where you stand with God? You compare. It seems life-sucking comparison traps are everywhere, so before we can break free, we’ll need to identify some of them.

The Performance Trap, aka The Hamster wheel: This trap compares and measures our efforts and success to others. We get caught up in striving for being better than others instead of striving for being the best you. At my college graduation party, I actually went to one of the department heads and asked where my grades stood compared to the rest of the class. True story! And he knew the answer. And now you feel the power of the comparison trap because you want to know my ranking, don’t you? 

The Pride Trap, aka The Unending Sky-scraper: This trap compares who we are with who we perceive others to be. We’re always striving for recognition and acceptance from others instead of resting in our recognition and acceptance from God. 

The Insecurity Trap, aka The Two-way Mirror: This trap compares our weaknesses to others’ strengths. I fall into this trap when I long for the strengths of others instead of thanking God for my own. Staring in this two-way mirror leaves us feeling like we’ll never be enough, instead of seeing all God created us to be.

The Envy Trap, aka The Green-Eyed Monster: This trap compares what we don’t have to what others do have. Money, career, kids, home, relationships, anything. I get stuck in this trap when I try to figure out how to get what I don’t have instead of figuring out how to give what I do have.  

These comparison traps put others’ efforts, strengths, and stuff as the goal and purpose of our lives. This quickly steals the abundant life God intended. Your energy, time, and purpose is wasted when you try to be like others, do like others, and have what others have. Jesus knows who you are and why you were made. He has given you everything you need to fulfill His purpose in you. In today’s Bible reading, you’ll be reminded of who you are, Whose you are, and where you should keep your focus, so you can break free from the life-sucking comparison traps you find yourself in.

-Brandon, comparison destroyer

Ask: Which comparison trap is sucking the life out of me? What is God’s truth for me?