From your important question, it is obvious that you have seen the danger and dissatisfaction that comes from comparing yourself to others.  When we do that, we either become bitter because of those we perceive as having better lives than we do, or we become vain because of those we esteem as less than ourselves.  So, how do we stop comparing ourselves to other people.  Here are a few thoughts:

  • “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Psalm 139:14).  The Lord made each one of us as individuals just how He wanted us to be.  We should appreciate that we are individually and beautifully made by our loving Creator.
  • “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 – NASB).  The Lord has unique plans for everyone of His own people, and that will invariably differ from the plans He has for others.  Of course, all the plans the Lord has for us will have us walk in the path of truth as given to us in His Word.
  • “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12).  How clearly the Bible points out to us the danger of comparing ourselves with others.  It is foolish and unwise to do this.
  • “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3).  So often, we perceive others as less than we are, and that leads to pride.  To think soberly is to think with the mind of God and see things through His eyes.

As we see from the scriptures, there are many apparent dangers in comparing ourselves with others.  We need to appreciate how the Lord has made us and then we can truly appreciate and be thankful for how the Lord has made our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We will recognize the strengths we have that we can use to minister to others, and we will recognize the strengths others have that can be used to minister to our needs.  In realizing the precious differences in each of us, we learn to value each other rather than compare ourselves to each other. We read in Romans 12:5, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”  Does your brother or sister in Christ have qualities that you do not have?  Thank the Lord for that and allow them to minister to you with their abilities.  They also need your abilities…such is the beauty of being individual members of the body of Christ.  Truly we are members of one another. 

Hebrews 13:5 tells us, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  There is no need for us to be jealous of anyone else.  There is no need to long for things we do not have.  As believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the Lord’s constant presence.  He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.  What more could be possibly need?  (CC)  (721.4)