As you step out today, remember God’s word to you from 2 Corinthians 10:12 [AMP].
12 “We do not have the audacity to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with some who [supply testimonials to] commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack wisdom and behave like fools.”
The [NIV] Translation says
“…When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise”.
The [TLB] Translation says,
12 ”Oh, don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare say that I am as wonderful as these other men who tell you how good they are! Their trouble is that they are only comparing themselves with each other and measuring themselves against their own little ideas. What stupidity!”
This is one Bible verse that makes me what to exclaim “Ouch” not because it literally causes pain but mainly because it speaks deeply to us as individuals because at some point in our lives we have allowed ourselves to be caught up with COMPARISON and this is what today’s key verse describes as foolishness, stupidity and acting unwisely – and ‘‘this is when as individuals especially as believers we compare ourselves with others.
In today’s key verse Apostle Paul clearly and fervently admonishes us as believers not to get caught up comparing ourselves to others as this is unhealthy, classed as without understanding and it can definitely lead to sinful consequences. The Bible says whoever does this is not wise, which means it is foolishness to compare or measure yourself with others such that you begin to doubt yourself and feel unqualified!
As believers, we have to be watchful and careful not to allow our admiration for others success and achievement lead or cause us to subtly begin to compare ourselves with others. Doing this only gives a foothold to the devil, and it is also surely an open invitation to the devil (the enemy of our soul) to mess with our peace and joy because only pain, disappointment, restlessness and unmet expectation results from the comparison.
It is important to nurture and to be content with the gift and special abilities God has given you and all the blessings He has given to you. And your focus should be to strive, put in your best effort always and to work hard to be better at what God has given to you.
Remember, as individuals, we all have different paths in life which are characterised by ‘Time and Seasons’ so rather than focus on what others are doing, their achievements and their race, let us focus on the Lord’s chosen path for ourselves and let us invest our time in getting good at it so that our lives can bless others and our heavenly Father can be glorified.
It is vital as a believer that you always depend on the Holyspirit for His guidance and leading to help you walk your path and to finish your race. That way you will not be tempted to think that others path are better than yours.
As you go about your daily business and activities today, keep your attention on the Lord and His purpose for you. Don’t get distracted by others success and begin to compare yourself to them. This only leads to insecurity and a false measurement of yourself.
Again, I say nurture, be content and give your best to the gift, talents and special abilities that a God has given to you because they have a purpose and that is to bless others with and to make humanity a better place. So be yourself, craft your own individuality and always be your authentic self.
When you focus on what God is using your gifts and talents to do others lives, you won’t have the time to compare yourselves with others! So whenever you are tempted to compare yourself or your achievements with others, tell yourself there’s no room for that and that remind yourself you are here to compliment others because we are all God’s workmanship created for good works. Hallelujah!
Let your standards always be God!
Remember, love who you are, celebrate your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses and work on getting better at them. And just focus on God’s purpose and assignment for your life, get good at it and be the best at it too!
Never forget “Comparison is the thief of joy” – Theodore Roosevelt
Do have a blessed and fruitful day!
God bless you.
A ver wonderful piece!!!