I was just speaking to a friend a few days ago about how strong the spirit of comparison seemed to be at our school. It's so easy to slip into a framework of thinking where my self worth and identity is dependent / relative to the people around me. How do my grades compare? My job? My friendships?
I grew up hearing this old aphorism (I think it's from Theodore Roosevelt) that said something along the lines of "comparison is the thief of joy". Even as a non-Christian, the saying resonated with me. Yet, it was so difficult to not compare; the act of comparison is often like a knee-jerk reaction. As a Christian, I recognize how ingrained these kind of sins are in my heart and am continuously learning the importance of fighting the good fight while also surrendering to the Lord, trusting fully that He has started and will finish the good work within me.
What strikes me about the passage (1 Samuel 18:6-9) is that the women were celebrating both Saul and David, and yet Saul is not able to partake in the celebration because he is so busy comparing. When we look at the song they were singing, we see that the women weren't even comparing him to David! God has given us so much reason to rejoice in our salvation (Psalm 51:12). He is celebrating my relationship with Him, and when I compare myself to others, I've lost sight of the fact that Christ came to die for me as an individual - that I, myself, get to have a personal relationship with the living God who works for the good of those who love Him. God is not comparing me to anyone else. His love for me is not contingent upon how I measure up to others. He already loves me. He already is celebrating my return home and the great adventure this life with Him has been and will continue to be. Lord, help me to celebrate my identity in you with you instead of letting comparison dictate my worth.
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