Comparison is a temptation. Falling for it can sabotage your confidence and sideline your dreams faster than boiling water melts a sugar cube. Perfect objectivity isn’t possible when you self-evaluate because you can’t see the big picture when you’re standing in the middle of it.
“The tip of the neighbour’s iceberg often looks very nice.”― Roy A. Ngansop, Engineer and Author
When you score a win do you immediately see everyone else as losers? Of course not. If your success isn’t their failure, then their success isn’t your failure.
Comparison Demeans God’s Creation and Plan
You shackle your progress and potential by assuming a prideful crown you don’t deserve or giving the Enemy the unfettered opportunity to tell you all the ways God screwed up when He made you. Comparison isn’t from God because it creates division, elevates Satan’s lies, and inspires jealously.
It demeans God’s creation and His plan.
There are multiple World and National Championship bronze trophies displayed in our home. Five of my books are Amazon best-sellers — some many times over. One even made it into the Top #100 Books on ALL of Amazon.
If you’re a competitor or author, that may sound pretty cool, but this is a place for honesty. Those wins, PLUS $8.57 cash money, may get me a plain coffee at Starbucks, but they won’t get me to the front of the line. I still have to wait my turn.
The True Gold of Achievement
Achievement delivers a momentary ego boost and proves that your efforts paid off. Another way to sum it up is, “I finally did the right things in the right order.”
The morning after a huge win may begin with a soft smile, but one pushy, annoying question refuses to let you bask peacefully past noon in delicious waves of satisfaction. What’s up with that voice? You try to silence it, but it’s as persistent as a Calico cat after a catnip mouse.
You give up. Go ahead, ask the question.
“What’s next?”
Victory Points the Way Forward
Unless that moment is your last, your fabulous new accomplishment will soon melt into your history of yesterdays, moving in next to the Home Economics trophy you won in seventh grade.
The greatest value of success is in lessons learned and, when viewed properly, how it points the way forward.
Forward is key. Because backwards is the wrong direction for anyone who walks with Christ. God has a plan and vision for you. The one thing we all have in common is that His vision is ahead, not behind.
Do the Work, Reap the Reward
My horse career didn’t begin in the winner’s circle and only one of those best-sellers earned the designation as a first edition. I had to learn what success requires, pay for the education, do the lessons, try and fail, then refine and try again. No one gets there without making the investment and doing the work.
One of the big problems with comparing yourself to others is how it makes them the Grand Marshall of your parade and makes you feel like you’re only good enough to sweep up after the equestrian entries.
“But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.” — Galatians 6:4-5
Quit Pursuing Perfection
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, or Anne Graham Lotz? Famous, wealthy, or beloved faith icon? Lady Gage suffers from debilitating fibromyalgia, Kim Kardashian from aggressive psoriasis, and Anne Lotz recently lost the love of her life right before being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Who else would you like to be? Are you sure?
- There are no perfect lives.
- There are no perfect jobs.
- No perfect horses.
- No perfect spouses or kids.
I’m sorry, but there isn’t even a perfect grandchild.
Learning From Success and Failure
The bronze trophies are the last vestiges of my competitive horse career. We keep them on display because they’re beautiful and connect our present to all the sweat, tears, sorrow, and joy that got us to where we are today.
There are some things I can still do with horses that few others can, but none will earn a blue ribbon, much less a championship. What matters now is how I use the skills and knowledge I gained from the experience to move God’s vision for me closer to the finish line.
If You Must Compare, Choose The Right Person to Emulate
How you feel about yourself is inextricably connected to how you perceive God. Do you see yourself as less than or unworthy? One multi-billionaire may still have less than the next multi-billionaire.
If God wanted a better you He’d find some way to transform who you are today into something else. In fact, He has. Your transformation is in progress through the Holy Spirit.
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 11:1
If you walk with Christ you are worthy because He is worthy. Is there something you need to change or refine? Of course there is! You’re not done yet, you’re not home yet, and there’s still something God intends for you to do in the meantime.
Life is about joy, sharing, being who you are in Jesus Christ, uniquely made in God’s image and with specific purpose in the world. Don’t compare yourself to the world’s idea for you, but the vision God has for you.
Walk toward that.
Move on to the next topic which is the Engine of Commitment.
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