The Comparison Trap

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. Galatians 6:4 (NLT)

Today we return to the battlefield in the Valley of Elah– the standoff between Goliath and Saul’s army. David shakes off his brother’s accusatory remarks, calling him proud and deceitful. He continues to talk to the soldiers about Goliath and says to them, “Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

David’s questions and remarks reach Saul’s ears, and he sends for him. David says to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” He tells Saul that the same God who has rescued him from the lion and the bear will rescue him from the hand of the Philistine. Saul is reluctant to let the young boy in front of him, who clearly has no battlefield experience, fight Goliath. But David is persistent. Saul relents and gives his blessing to fight Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:4-48).

What I love about this story is that David did not compare himself to Goliath when he took on the challenge. He was not intimidated or overwhelmed by his stature or his words. He knew that the same God who rescued him from the lion and the bear would be with him and give him the strategy to fight Goliath.

The Giant of Comparison

We can be so easily overwhelmed or intimidated by circumstances in our lives. Overwhelmed by what we feel we need to achieve. Overwhelmed by what we sense God is calling us to do. Overwhelmed by the long “To Do List” we need to get through. When this happens, we tend to compare ourselves with others. We see others achieving their ambitions, fulfilling their calling. They take things in their stride and move forward with their lives. We see them as our “Goliath” that we need to beat. We become envious of their success, and we inevitably see ourselves as “less than.” We worry about whether God really sees us, cares about us or hears our prayers.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers. 1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV)

But we can be assured that the One who has made us sees us and hears our prayers. He has a unique journey for each of us. He is with us on this journey. He wants us, just like David, to look to Him. To see that He is an omnipotent God. A God who is more than able to move heaven and earth so that we can achieve what He calls us to do – each day and in every season. When we look to Him and not our “Goliath,” we will receive His unique strategy that will release us from the trap of comparison.

We won’t be distracted by comparison if we are captivated by purpose. Bob Goff

Reflection:

Have you succumbed to comparing yourself to others? Will you trust God’s unique journey for your life?

Prayer:

Forgive me, Lord, for comparing myself to others. Thank You for this unique journey I am on with You. Reveal Your unique strategy to me. Watch over me, and hear my prayers. In Jesus’ name, amen.