It is not uncommon for us to compare ourselves to others. In fact, doing so is so common that we often don’t even realize that it’s going on. It has been said that comparison is the thief of joy. If you’re looking to increase the amount of joy that you experience in your life, take some steps to overcome the temptation to live a life of comparison. When you stand on some foundational truths from Scripture, it becomes much easier to overcome comparison so you can live a joyful life.
It has been said that comparison is the thief of joy. That quote his largely been attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt knew his share of triumphs and defeats, yet he was adamant that we should not live our lives in a perpetual state of comparison. At the time of his inauguration, President “Teddy” Roosevelt was the youngest man to ever hold the office at only 43 years of age. When President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901, President Roosevelt was pushed into the limelight.
You would think that a man who found success at such an early age would love the idea of comparing himself to others. In addition to his early rise to prominence, President Roosevelt wasn’t like many of the other “log cabin” presidents who had grown up poor and struggled through rough economic times. Instead, he was born into a relatively wealthy family who lived in New York City, New York. While some of his predecessors had been born in small, rural Virginia towns, worked on farms, and barely had enough to get by, Roosevelt was born rich.
However, his wealth as a youth didn’t preclude him from suffering. In fact, Roosevelt’s health wasn’t good, dating back to his childhood. While he survived multiple childhood sicknesses, he suffered other types of pain early in his adult life. In 1884, his wife and his mother died on the same day. After their passings, he moved to a ranch in the Badlands area of the Dakota Territory. While there, he became a proficient horse rider, spent time hunting large game, driving cattle, and even caught an outlaw once.
During the Spanish American War, Roosevelt became one of the most accomplished leaders in the US military, thanks in large part to his proficiency in riding. His most notable accomplishment as a military leader involved leading “The Roughriders” up San Juan Hill in the Battle of San Juan, which proved to be a turning point in the war.
After getting into politics, Roosevelt changed foreign policy, involving America in world politics on a much larger scale. He won the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating and helping to end the Russo-Japanese War. He helped develop the National Park system and did much more.
One day, in 1912, he was running for President on the Progressive ticket. He had left politics, but believed his nation needed him to return to the arena. A fanatical man shot Roosevelt in an assassination attempt, not unlike the one against President McKinley which made Roosevelt the President the first time.
Only seven years later, when Roosevelt was on his deathbed, he said, “No man has had a happier life than I have led; a happier life in every way.” Yes, Roosevelt was a highly accomplished individual who had become a household name in a time where news didn’t reach places as quickly as it does today. However, he had also faced plenty of heartaches and hardships. However, he held to the believe that no one had lived a happier life than he had.
Keep in mind, Roosevelt had coined the phrase that discourages comparison decades before his passing. He had seen triumphs, and he had seen heartache. In all those things, he vowed to avoid comparing himself to other people.
Even if you’ve never been the President of the United States, or led a military campaign on foreign soil, you’ve probably experienced some triumphs in your life. Even if you’ve never lost your spouse and a parent on the same day, you’ve probably also experienced some levels of personal loss.
In all those things, it’s important to avoid comparing yourself to other people and their triumphs. Overcoming comparison doesn’t always come naturally, especially when we live in a social media world in which everybody posts their greatest moments for the world to see.
Today, if you find yourself lacking joy because you live your life in a perpetual state of competition and comparison, spend some time reflecting on these Scriptural truths.
You Were Created on Purpose
Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
One of the hardest things that we face when we compare ourselves to other people involves our purpose in life. All of us want to matter. Everybody wants to know that they are here for a reason. One of the most difficult aspects of comparing yourself to other people involves seeing those who seem to have found their purpose and are flourishing in it while you’re still looking for your “why.” Why are you here? Why did God create you? What is the purpose of your life?
Make no mistake about it, you were created for a purpose. This passage from Jeremiah applies to each and every one of us who are living thousands of years later after Jeremiah prophesied to the nation of Israel.
While you may not be the prophetic voice of a nation, you still have purpose. One of the most effective ways to find that purpose is to spend time studying God’s Word and entering into a more intimate relationship with Him. When you combine that study with earnest prayer, God will reveal your purpose to you.
You Are Unique
Psalm 139:14-15 (NIV)
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
We often struggle with comparison when we compare ourselves physically to other people. Perhaps you’re nearing the end of another year and you still haven’t lost that 30 pounds that were a part of your New Year’s resolution. Perhaps you’re starting to show the signs of your age while your friends don’t seem to have any new wrinkles or any new gray hairs.
The Bible declares that every part of your physical being was woven together by God. Long before you were born, God had put you together. When you embrace this truth, you can begin to completely reevaluate your self-esteem.
While there’s certainly nothing wrong with wanting to get in better shape and improve your appearance, it’s important that you don’t measure yourself against other people. God made you uniquely yourself, and that includes all of your physical attributes.
Comparing Lifestyles Leaves You Thankless Instead of Thankful
James 1:17 (NLT)
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
Finally, it’s important that we don’t spend all our time comparing what we have to the things that other people have. When you do that, it becomes much harder to be thankful for what you do have. This is primarily because there will always be somebody who has more than you.
No matter how nice your home is, somebody has a bigger one. No matter how new your car is, somebody has a newer one. No matter how luxurious your vacations are, somebody will take a more luxurious trip.
Spend your time thanking God for the good and perfect gifts that He has given you. Instead of looking at what others have and envying them, spend some time in praise and worship for the good things that God has blessed you with.
A Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to overcome comparison. Help me to move past what others have and what they’re doing so I can focus on what you are doing in my life. In Christ’s name, Amen.