Comparison's Confinement

Have you ever found yourself in a spot of comparison with others? “If I had the job…,” “If I had the boyfriend...,” "If I had the girlfriend...," “If I had the grades…,”.

I have found myself in a pattern of dismissing what I currently have in my life as my mind drifts to comparing my place of lack with others gain. Further spiraling when comparison revolves around something I have been wanting and working for when it seems others received it so easily.

When you see others receive what you have been waiting for, it can be easy to compare their outward success to your place of lack.

As someone who has her eyes set on medical school, it can be very hard to prevent comparison. In the pre-medicine world, everyone is competing for the same grades in class, the same volunteer/clinical positions, and ultimately the same seat in a medical school program. It can become a game where you cannot share your secrets of success with others for the risk of minimizing your own chance of success. This has become a toxic cycle we see in our world through a multitude of situations.

Yet, as we sit in the cycle of comparison, it is crucial to remember that God has an individual purpose for each and every one of us. He has set us on a unique path that is meant to better us and better His Kingdom along with it.

My mom recently reminded me of the verse Esther 4:14 which states:

Esther 4:14, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

This verse resonated with me, especially as I am in a season of waiting for multiple things. It reminded me that where we currently are is not meaningless. Where we currently are has meaning and purpose.

Maybe God has not given you your spouse yet because you are meant to place that focus on school and ministry. Maybe you have not gotten your dream job yet because God has you meeting people who need you to bring His light into their life.

God has placed you where you are for a greater purpose than we may be able to see in the moment. Reflect on your position, the doors that have opened, the doors that have closed, and know that God is protecting you and building you up for His specific call on your life. We must separate ourselves from the hold of comparison or we will miss the moment God has us in.

Judges 8:3, “God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?' At this, their resentment against him subsided.”

In this verse, Gideon is responding to the men of Ephraim who were caught up in comparison between themselves and the rest of the army. They were so distracted in the cycle of comparison that they did not see what success God had brought them into.

I encourage you to reflect on your own cycle of comparison. Ask God for discernment and deliverance from this negative loop. Allow Him to redirect your eyes from other's journeys and back onto His personal calling for you.

I pray today that we can diverge from the cycle of comparison and rejoice in the unique place God has brought us to. I pray we grow in gratitude and persevere on His path for us.