Keeping A Standard Against Comparison

Keeping Up With The Joneses..

Judges 8:1–3 NLT

1 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon. 2 But Gideon replied, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t even the leftover grapes of Ephraim’s harvest better than the entire crop of my little clan of Abiezer? 3 God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished compared to that?” When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon’s answer, their anger subsided.

Judges

Judges 8:1–3 NLT

1 Then the people of Ephraim asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us this way? Why didn’t you send for us when you first went out to fight the Midianites?” And they argued heatedly with Gideon. 2 But Gideon replied, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t even the leftover grapes of Ephraim’s harvest better than the entire crop of my little clan of Abiezer? 3 God gave you victory over Oreb and Zeeb, the commanders of the Midianite army. What have I accomplished compared to that?” When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon’s answer, their anger subsided.

Judges

7 People You Need To Stop Comparing Yourself To

1. Your siblings.

Have you ever apologized to your parents for being their “problem child?”  Have you ever felt like a personal failure because your siblings are successful and independent while you feel like somehow you’re miles and miles behind them?  It’s completely normal to feel that way, but you’ve got to try and stop.  Your siblings are your siblings and your parents are your parents.  You’re not giving yourself enough credit by thinking of yourself as a failure in comparison to them or by knowing that your parents would never look at you that way.

Your best friend.

If you’ve ever felt like your best friend is the one who’s “settling” by being best friends with you, then you need to stop comparing yourself to your BFF.  You love them, so of course you see them as beautiful, funny, charming, and all-around awesome.  But remember, you BFF probably sees you that way.

Your parents at your age.

Maybe by 24 your parents were already married, had successful careers, and bought their first house.  Meanwhile, at 24 you’re single, still in college, and living with them.  Don’t compare yourself to where you are in life versus where your parents were at the same age.  First of all, it was a different time.  The economy was a hell of a lot better back then, and things were a lot cheaper.  And also, it doesn’t matter.  Remember what we said about life not being a race?

Celebrities.

You think you look like an absolute troll next to Jennifer Lawrence or that your body could never be as flawless and amazing as Karlie Kloss’, but you have to remember this: those celebrities have a team of stylists, trainers, and magical illusionists who make them look that way.  And even if they didn’t, who are you to call yourself uglier than they are?  That’s just not fair.

Coworkers.

The easiest way to cause yourself stress at work is to start thinking of your coworkers as your competitors and judging your own self worth by comparing it to their success.  You’re not opponents.  You’re teammates.  Just because your coworker is doing well doesn’t mean you’re not performing at the same level.  And even if you’re not, then improve because you want to improve.  Not because you want to be better than that person.

Your younger vision of your adult self.

When you were a kid, you thought you were going to be a rich movie star.  Or even when you were a teenager, you thought you would be in a secure career or at least be more “settled down” and “figured out” than you actually ended up being at your current age.  Don’t let that get to you.  When we were children and teenagers, we had literally no idea what it meant to actually be an adult and how hard it can be.  You can’t try to measure up to their unrealistic expectations.  You’re doing the best you can and that’s all that matters.

Beyoncé.

Come on, why are you doing that to yourself?

Bonus: Your Pastor & First Lady: