You Are Beyond Compare
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. II Corinthians 10:12 (English Standard Version, ESV)
People everywhere are snared by the trap of comparisons. As we just read, comparing oneself to others is not wise. It will do one of two things, depending upon whom you are comparing yourself to.
It will make you prideful because you believe you are better than the person you are comparing yourself to.
It will make you insecure and ashamed because you believe you are less than the person you are comparing yourself to.
Advertising, movies, television, etc. doesn’t help with this either. The push is for everyone to compare themselves with the airbrushed models, actors, and other entertainers that are paraded before us. Is it any wonder that eating disorders, depression, and suicide have been on the rise in our young people?
We must reinforce to our young people (and to ourselves) that the Lord made us each unique and valuable. We do not have to look as skinny and perfect as the false examples the media provides. We should never be afraid to be different- to be who God made us to be.
The truth is that there is only one person we should seek to be like: Jesus. He is available to work with us everyday to make progress on our way to looking more and more like Him. His desire is for you to become the best you that you can possibly be.
We must also beware of the trap of thinking more highly of ourselves than we should.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3 (New Living translation, NLT)
Every person has been divinely endowed with qualities and abilities specific to God’s plan for his or her life. By thinking we are better than they, we belittle what the Creator has done in them.
A healthy self-esteem is acquired by understanding our identity in Christ. By walking in that understanding to develop our God-given talents and appreciate our own good qualities, we can reflect Christ in our own personal way to others around us.
