Summer Newsletter 2024!

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Don't Compare Yourself To Others

 

This morning I flipped through the pages of my 2024 graduate's yearbook and shuddered. Pages full of superlatives for the most popular students helping them feel more or less adequate than each other. There were quarter-page, half-page, and full-page parent ads with pictures of their kid to show how rich they were (or at least how they were perceived to be) by others.

Oh, how I hated high school. 

And if that wasn't enough, there was a two-page spread for the teacher of the year. Now all the teachers can feel more or less adequate than each other, too.

How does that even work? Aren't all teachers certified and qualified? 

What if instead, we took turns celebrating everyone individually for the part they play in contributing to the whole? Perhaps students and teachers would feel more appreciated and continue to work hard.

Spotlight on Mrs. Jones this week for her after-school efforts helping out the ski club.

Better yet, what if we remembered that the work we do for others may not always be seen but we serve a God who sees us. 

Comparing ourselves to one another leads to doubt, and insecurity and takes our eyes off of the one who gave us our gifts and abilities in the first place. According to God's standards, we all fall short yet because of His Son we have His favor, and He made each of us unique for His purposes.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIRV), "I don’t dare to compare myself with those who praise themselves. I’m not that kind of person. They measure themselves by themselves. They compare themselves with themselves. When they do that, they are not wise."

Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT) says, "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."

Proverbs 14:30 says, "A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." 

Let's be thankful for how God intentionally made us, not comparing ourselves to anyone else so we can fulfill the callings He's given us.

Happy Summer!