The Comparison Game

We play a lot of games. One of them is the Comparison Game. Unfortunately, it is not difficult for this game to be played without notice. Too often I find myself playing it. Even more unfortunate is the fact that this game hurts ourselves and those around us. So how does the game work?

The rules are easy. Compare yourself to others. That's it. That's the game. Easy right? Right. Maybe too easy. Think about how often you hear people comparing and contrasting themselves to others. "I work harder than all my coworkers! I do this task but they never do." "I'll never be as attractive as that guy on TV." However it is phrased it is easy to see that people compare and contrast themselves to others in ways that either build them up or tear them down. Usually the instances that build the narrator up tend to tear others down and when they build others up they tend to tear the narrator down. Neither of these are healthy.

Instead of looking at others and comparing yourself to them or comparing them to you try to meditate on the truth that everyone doesn't have to be the same and can not be the same. Admire those people who impress you. Feel free to take notes and begin the journey to self-improvement. Figure out who you are and let the inspiration you find in others propel you forward instead of hold you back. Encourage those who don't impress you. Build them up and come alongside them humbly (and perhaps subversively) to help them become better versions of themselves (and not versions of you). We're all different from each other. It's important that we embrace that and realize those differences are good and for the benefit of the whole community.

What does God want of you? Who has he told you to be? What basic guidelines do we find in scripture to answer this? While we all should arrive at similar/same places in many ways there are always going to be ways in which we can not be similar. We have to learn how to discern between the two. Having diverse people around us who are aware of these truths and an encourage us will be a great help. May you and I learn to stop comparing ourselves to others when we shouldn't and learn to imitate Christ* and seek to become the men and women of God that we can best become. May we have grace for ourselves as our Father has grace for us. May we do what we can and be joyful abut where we are as we continue to strive towards being better versions of ourselves.

*Imitation/reflection does not require comparison. It requires discernment, striving, and grace.