Good day
2 Corinthians 10:12,13
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you.
I'm sure all of us have found ourselves in various situations where we've compared ourselves to others. I'm not referring to the type where we've compared ourselves to others as a means of establishing/tracking certain goals/aspirations but rather the type where, when we see the success of others (and this relates to any area of life), it caused us to feel frustrated and even angry where we became critical and judgemental or of towards these people. On the other side of that coin, when we succeed at something, it can cause us to become proud and boastful, feeling like we've accomplished something when others haven't and that could cause us to look down on them. In both instances, the Bible warns us not to judge: (Matthew 7:1-5, Romans 2:1-4) and also not to be boastful (1 Corinthians 1:31, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Deuteronomy 8:11-19, 1 Corinthians 12)
We can see why the opening passage above says that when we compare ourselves - we are unwise. What we should be doing of course, regardless of the achievements of others or our own, is to respond with love:
Romans 13:8-10
Owe nothing to anyone except to love and seek the best for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman]. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor [it never hurts anyone]. Therefore [unselfish] love is the fulfillment of the Law.
Apart from the above, another reason, and I believe the one the Holy Spirit wants to highlight for this particular message, is that comparing ourselves to others can cause us to become distracted and throw us off course from focusing on what God has called us to.
This works in both instances, when others have success or failure: When in an environment where everyone stagnates and doesn't accomplish much it's very easy to settle for the mediocre/average because there's nothing pushing us to perform better. The problem with this environment is that it can create a mindset that says "as long as I'm doing slightly better than those around me, then it's okay." On the other hand, when in an environment where others excel around us and we feel we can't keep up or reach those same levels of performance/high standards, it can cause us to become discouraged and we may be tempted to give up.
What I believe God wants us to know is that He hasn't called us to focus on the performance of those around us, whether positive or negative - He's called us to focus on what He's requiring of us! His plan, His purpose, His Word - what He's instructed us to do - becomes our benchmark/standard. The opinions of others, what they have or haven't accomplished, where they are in life, etc. is not our benchmark/standard!
We live for Him and we're accountable to Him and what He's requiring of us. We need to take our focus off of others and where they may be in their lives, ministry, career, financially, etc. and do what we know God is asking/requiring of US!
What I believe God wants you to do my friend is not be tempted to compare yourself with others and where they're headed when God has called you to be obedient to Him now, for this moment, for this time.
God is guiding YOUR steps!
He has a purpose for YOUR life! (not to be a copy of someone else)
He wants you to focus your attention on YOUR walk with Him! (not that of a friend or family member)
To rely and depend upon His grace to see you fulfill all that He's called YOU to fulfill! - To fulfill the purpose He's called YOU to fulfill! (not to worry about what others may or may not be doing)
To Be the blessing He's called YOU to be!
To shine YOUR light!
So embrace what God is busy doing in YOUR life! ... Don't compare yourself but be who God has made YOU to be!
Amen