The Comparison Trap

Psalms 16:5-6

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

- The lines have fallen for you in pleasant places; you can be grateful for the life God has given you
- Your fulfillment in life is found in your relationship with God

2 Corinthians 10:12-15

For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding. But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we shall be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you.

- Every one of us has a sphere apportioned to us by God; be grateful for exactly where God has you

Psalms 139:13-16

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

A big part of figuring out your calling in life is to locate your gifting.

1 Corinthians 15:9-10

For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Comparison is arguing with the grace of God.

Galatians 5:26

That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

God will help you be all you can be, but he will never let you be successful at becoming someone else. -Joyce Meyer

Galatians 6:4

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your life.

- Figure out your giftings; you are wired for your work and it is the expression of your unique gifts
- Don’t puff yourself up, but also don’t tear yourself down; God has made you for your assignment

John 3:27

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.”

1 Corinthians 7:17

And don’t be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God’s place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life.