Have you compared yourself to others?

Have you compared yourself to others?
By Wynn Cameron Thompson

 18 “ ‘I’m telling you the very truth now: When you were young you dressed yourself and went wherever you wished, but when you get old you’ll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don’t want to go.’ 

19 ‘He said this to hint at the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And then he commanded, ‘Follow Me.’
20 ‘Turning his head, Peter noticed the disciple Jesus loved following right behind.
21 ‘When Peter noticed him, he asked Jesus, ‘Master, what’s going to happen to him?’
22 ‘Jesus said, ‘If I want him to live until I come again, what’s that to you? You – follow me.’ ” 

Have you ever found that you compare yourself to others from time to time? I mean you see other Christians have a better deal from God than you, or, you think God has blessed them more than you?

I was sitting in a Sunday School class when this scripture was read. As I heard the words I knew God spoke to me deeply. I remembered, in an instant, times in which I had compared myself to others and in doing so experienced a negative attitude. “Why do You Lord, bless others more than me? Haven’t I been obedient to You? Haven’t I done all you’ve asked?”

“What’s that to you?” I heard God’s still small voice say to me. “Do you trust Me?” He asked. “Yes Lord, I trust You.” He responded, “You are unique and special to Me. What I do for you is different than anyone else. Don’t look to the right or the left – look directly at Me and trust.”

Comparing myself to others usually causes me to become negative about myself and many times God as well. The Word says that God is good and that we are the apple of His eye. Learning integrity through the hardships, trials, calamity, affliction and temptation forge our character and is most important in creating hope in our heavenly Father faithfulness towards us.

He loves us and wants us to know that. Instead of choosing the negative about our self and/or God – follow Him unquestioningly and you will discover how faithful He is to your individual needs and His will for you.