The Comparison Trap
By Brad Spangler
Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man” said the religious leader in Jesus’ day. Though most people would never think to utter these words out loud, if we are being honest with ourselves each one of us from time to time have played around the edges, if not completely fallen into what I call the “Comparison Trap”.
Have you ever woken up in the morning and immediately checked your social media account? As you begin to scroll down your feed you see that one of your friends is on another vacation! As you begin driving to work that day you think to yourself, “Huh, must be nice…” and before you know it you’re actually feeling sorry for yourself because now you’re comparing your everyday life to someone else’s highlight. If we’re not careful we can find ourselves sliding into the comparison trap.
The problem with comparing ourselves to others is that it can lead us into two different traps. It can either make us feel like we’re better than someone else, or it can make us feel like we’re less than, and neither one is healthy. In fact if we stay in this trap for too long it can hinder us from running our own God-given race well. So what can you do if you find yourself sliding into the comparison trap? In my opinion Jesus gives us an excellent remedy in the Gospel of John.
Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”” John 21:21-22
To set the scene Jesus had just restored Peter back to a position of leadership, and this is only a short time after one of Peter’s biggest failures. Immediately Peter looks at John and says, “What about him Lord?”. Jesus’ response can be summed up in three words, “You follow me.” This simple yet powerful truth will be the ladder to get you out of the comparison trap.
Fixing your eyes on Jesus will help you stay on the path that God has chosen for you, and it is God who ultimately determines your value. The Bible says that when we compare ourselves among ourselves it is unwise. So I encourage you to go out and follow Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him and what He is doing in your life. This will help to keep you out of the trap.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I compare myself to other people often?
- When do I feel most accepted?
- What is one thing in my life that I have to be grateful for?