How Can We Avoid the Comparison Trap?
Comparing ourselves to others quickly traps us in an attitude of either inferiority or superiority. How then can we avoid falling into this trap?
Do you wrestle with comparing yourself to other people? I do. I face the battle on several fronts:
Comparing ourselves to others only leads to a trap. I like what John Ortberg says:
“I must ruthlessly refuse to compare my talents with anyone else. Comparison will lead to pride and a false sense of superiority if I’m ahead of someone, and misery if I’m behind. Or worse, I will discount and bury the irreplaceable treasure that the Lord of the Gift has given to me alone…
I must come to identify, cultivate, invest, prize, and enjoy the gifts that have been given to me. The Lord of the Gift is very wise. He knew exactly what he was doing when he created you. He is well-pleased that you exist. He has entrusted to you everything you need to fulfill the purpose for which you were created.”
Comparing ourselves to others quickly traps us in an attitude of either inferiority or superiority. How then can we avoid falling into this trap?
As Ortberg says, God has entrusted to us everything we need to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. Let’s not hinder that purpose by falling into a trap that’s avoidable.
Know you are loved,
Grace
I struggle with this, especially in writing. May God help me to be content with the privilege of writing for Him.
It’s probably pretty accurate to say that a lot of writers struggle with comparison. There’s always someone who’s more prolific or with more contracts. Wow–what a trap. How easy it is to lose contentment. You’re not alone, Marianne.