THE COMPARISON TRAP

 The Comparison Trap

Human beings are always comparing themselves to each other. This leads to a lot of competition. But what motivates us to do this? Comparison leads to dissatisfaction, which leads to unhealthy choices and lifestyle. We do what the others are doing and fail to follow our path; we get distracted. We are exposed to lifestyle related diseases and mental illnesses. Our lives are stress filled. We are prone to envy; we want to have what the other people have. Comparison and dissatisfaction with our own lives is one of the things that leads to crimes. There is a lot of jealousy, hate, malice, and many other vices.

Yet, God created us unique, each one of us for a specific purpose.

So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. Genesis 1:27.

The Bible says the devil was cast out from heaven, he was in competition with God; he wanted to be in the place of God.

And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelations 12:7-12.

We should embrace our uniqueness; that which makes us who we are. Our diversity should bring us together and not divide us. Each one of us has their place in the universe.

For we are God's masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10.

God predestined us for a great purpose, He created us with love and He is good-willed towards us.

And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:31.

God did not bring us into the world to suffer, we bring that to ourselves mostly through our choices; when we make the wrong choices, we give the devil a foothold. But God is merciful; even when we drift far away, He is always willing to receive us back and teach us His ways. He tells us covetousness is sin.

You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. Exodus 20:17.

We are told to be on guard, to watch out, to guard our hearts.

And He said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15.

This is because coveting other people's lifestyle is sin, and as all other sin, it leads to a downward spiral. We grow bitter at heart, we become discontent, we are tempted to steal, we want to be at par with the rest.

We forget we are called to love; we are to love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet', and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself! Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10.

We should remember there is nothing wrong with material blessings. We strive to do better in life, to reach a higher level. But the main question is, what is our motivation? How do we get there? What is the condition of our hearts? Material blessings come from God, but we should not idolize wealth.

Do not lay yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21.

We lay treasures in heaven by doing the will of God, by loving each other, by using what we have to bless others. In everything we do, we should have eternity in mind.

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26.

God is a God of love. We are told to seek first the kingdom of God.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.

Let us ask God to give us contentment; even as we strive for better, we can still be content while going through the process, and firmly rooted in Christ.

Blessings.

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