Comparision
God's Word: Psalm 139: 13 – 14
Major Lynda Thornhill
Territorial Mission, Evangelism & Cultural Ministries Secretary
USA Southern Territory
Instead of comparing, be content with what God is doing in and through you.
One of the most difficult obstacles I encounter daily is dealing with comparison. I give the enemy space in my head, allowing my insecurities to get in the way of being who God created me to be. Satan knows where I am weakest and doesn’t have to do too much before my mind takes off. I find myself saying, “You’ll never be…”, or “You’re not good enough for…”, ending up wallowing in envy, pride, covetousness and self-pity.
Moses the Meek
In dealing with my constant need for comparison, I’ve found myself looking at Moses in the book of Exodus. He, too, was very good at giving into comparison. In chapter three we find Moses telling God he wasn’t good enough and argued with God about his insecurities. It was the interaction with God that Moses let out his feelings of insecurity. During this time, Moses had already seen the wonders of God with the burning bush. While it burned, Moses saw that this bush was not being consumed by the fire. Then God called Moses to a task he did not feel capable of.
In Exodus 3:7, God told Moses of the cries He heard from His people. To accomplish their freedom, God was going to use Moses. Despite what he had seen and heard, Moses was already giving in to his perceived inadequacies. Moses said to God in verse 13, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” God had an answer for Moses to give the people. Even still, Moses would push his feelings further by questioning how the people would know it was God sending him. Even further Moses said he wasn’t capable enough with speech. Again, each time he would attempt to escape the calling of God, God always had an answer and a plan. In God’s economy, Moses was the right person. In Moses’ economy, he was never the right one.
Crippling Comparison
Moses and I are kindred spirits. He did exactly what I do. He compared himself to other people that he thought were better. Where I differ from Moses, and I do not like admitting this, is I will either go forward and plan for failure. Or, even more so, continue to discount God’s call and inflict my comparison pain onto those around me. Sometimes, it is easier to see the ones you love hurt so you don’t have to hurt all by yourself. Fortunately, for the children of God, Moses listened and went forward to do even more than what he felt capable. He led an entire nation out of an oppressive regime and to the Promised Land. While he was not able to cross the boundary, Moses was able to get the people prepared for the next step. I am reminded that, sometimes, the cost of comparison is far too expensive and can cost someone the ability to share in the promise God has for them.
Like a Thief
Comparison steals our confidence and courage which hinders us from fulfilling our God-given calling because we could never do it “like they do.” But the truth is, God doesn’t call us to do things like someone else. He calls and equips us with gifts and abilities specifically created for us. Moses did not know, or want to know, that truth. He was looking at others and purposefully forgetting how he was equipped. I, like Moses, forget that too. The gifts I have may not seem like much to me, but with God they are invaluable. When Moses left comparison to the side, he found that he was capable and able to do the task for which he was called, with his brother at his side. If Moses had let comparison win, Aaron may not have been able to do the task for which he was called. The act of comparison doesn’t just affect you; it affects those around you.
Uniquely Made
David wrote: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well” (Psalm 139: 13 – 14).
David was praising God for creating him just the way he was – failures, flaws and all. God knows our insecurities and chose us anyway. David didn’t always follow this principle. He would allow comparing what he had with others and then make some bad decisions. That is what is encouraging in the life of David. When he was shown his error, he would repent and seek God’s forgiveness. Then he could be the man he was created to be. He was the man after God’s own heart. Comparison can be a killer of someone’s spiritual walk. It can steal our joy, steal our self-esteem, steal our relationships and create an environment of toxicity in our mind. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Comparison, when used in the right way, isn’t about becoming another person, or realizing the lack of traits we wish we had. Recognizing Christlike principles in another and seeing how we can apply them in our lives can lead to spiritual growth. That’s why we join in Christian fellowship, participate in small groups, and listen to spiritual mentors. We are all at different places in our faith journey. Some have more faith, others have differing gifts, some could just be with someone and create a place of calm.
Moses was given so many incredible tasks to lead the children of Israel to their new home, and we still tell the stories to encourage congregations in their own walk with God. But had he given in to the pull from comparison, we might be telling the same stories today. The next time I feel the lingering pull of comparison in my life, I will think on Moses and maybe I will be able to break that pull and thanks to call of God, with or without a burning bush.
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Lord, How often we do just what Major Thornhill says. We look at others and compare ourselves to them. We often wish we had their courage, their opportunities, their talents, families like theirs - so many things! We look at our own blessings and they seem like nothing in comparison. And that's the whole problem. We don't look at You. We don't remember the gifts You have given. We are not thankful for what You have placed in our hands. We forget that the devil tempted Adam and Eve by getting them to compare Eden's gifts with the one gift they didn't have. Forgive us for this coveting, Lord! Help us to be thankful for what You have made us and are making us, for what You have given us and how You continue to bless us. And for giving us the gift of Your dear Son, Jesus. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
USA Southern Territory
Thinking It Through
Why is it, even when we try to make ourselves stop, that we continue to compare ourselves to others? To look at what they have and feel envy, even when we know many times we couldn't do or handle what they are doing? How can we move from comparison to thanking God for that person's blessing and remembering our own? What might stop us and what might help us?
Notable Quotables
Perhaps comparison sometimes can be good if it is used as a learning tool. Rather than making life a competition, observe people to see what good things you can learn from them that you might want to incorporate into your own life. - Donna Palmer
In answer to the temptation to compare ourselves, we instead thank God for what we have and once again offer it all back to Him as we sing back to Him in this hymn, "Take My Life, and Let It Be."
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory