1.12.23

It’s hard not to compare ourselves to other people.

I know I find myself comparing more than I care to admit.

Our world seems to make it pretty easy to compare (take social media for example), but the truth is comparing ourselves to other people never seems to lead us to peace with who we are and with our own individual journey.

There are two ways we compare ourselves to others. The first is to compare ourselves to those who we feel superior to. We do this to make ourselves feel better and feel like we’re good enough. When we go down this road, it often leads to arrogance and entitlement – a fabricated sense of security. The second way to compare is to compare ourselves to those we feel inferior to or those who we feel like have a good life. We tend do this unintentionally when those around us experience success or enjoy moments of happiness. When we take this path, we’re left with an empty or insecure feeling – lacking confidence or fulfillment.

Ultimately, comparing ourselves is a poisonous behavior which needs to be fought with conviction. Peace and the ability to be present in our own journey isn’t found in comparing. Having the ability to focus internally, without looking left or right, is a skill which can’t be gained though effort or strong determination. The comparison battle is fought and won at the level of our heart – we must address the issue at the root.

I heard an author by the name of Chet Scott once say, “Success is defined by the degree in which you live out your life’s purpose.” I think Chet’s words can help us with the comparison battle. In order to stop comparing ourselves to other people, we have to change our entire framework for how we view success. If we define success as accolades, money, and status, we will be left feeling either arrogant or insecure, because there are always going to be other people with more or less of all three. However, if we truly view living out our purpose in life as our measure of success, our heart will lose its longing to compare – finding peace in our own journey.

My purpose in life is to glorify God by loving him and loving others. I find when I am actively pursuing this purpose, I compare myself less and live in more peace. What is your purpose? Find it and make it your measure of success.