It seems that one of the biggest sources of discouragement in my life are comparisons. Even when I personally know that I am on the right track to meet the goals I have established for myself, I can quickly become disheartened by looking at others around me. I can always find someone who is faster than me, someone who is stronger than me, or someone who is more successful than me. It seems I really hold myself back by continuing to compare myself and my personal achievements to others.
Simply put, I know this is foolish. I know that no one faces the exact same struggles I do. I know that everyone’s strengths and weaknesses are unique. I also know that no matter how awesome I ever become, I can always find someone who is better. Comparing one’s self to other people can literally be a devastating blow to their own personal growth. I know this is something I have to cut out.
Avoiding Comparisons:
Comparisons discourage. There is no other way to put it. If you measure your worth by holding yourself up to others, you will always be left discouraged. Unless you are simply the absolute best at everything you do, eventually, you will be let down by your inadequacies.
Comparisons set unrealistic goals. Seeking to match or exceed another’s successes may prove to be a futile and frustrating task. Again, everyone is different. Even if you trained exactly the same and just as hard your results may still vary. Make your own goals and do your absolute best. Refuse to let someone else be your standard.
Comparisons highlight what is lacking. By their very nature, comparisons emphasize our shortcomings without rewarding our similarities. Every single time I begin to compare myself to others I automatically focus on my deficiencies. Even if both of us have more in common than not, what always sticks out in my head is how I come up short.
By refusing to constantly compare myself to others I can be free to progress at my own pace, regardless of how far ahead everyone else is. My worth should be determined by who I am and what I believe in; not how much I lifted today or how fast I can run a 5K.
So, who are you? What do you believe in? Feel free to share your personal goals and be proud for accomplishing them. But at the same time try recognize where your worth comes from. Hint: It has nothing to do with what you can do.
“…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy…”read.ly/Titus3.5.ESV
***this post kind of just popped out of a lot of stuff I’ve been dealing with lately. If you feel that it doesn’t personally apply to you, them I’m all the more happy for you. Constantly comparing yourself to others is really a drag. I just sometimes get down on myself for not living up to someone else’s standards. end rant.***
(photo by ODHD)
