The Comparison Trap Part 3: Four Ways to Combat Comparison

Click Here to see previous posts in this series: Part 1 and Part 2. 

Considering how connected our culture is to social media and Jesus’s call to live in community with others, we can’t get away from the temptation to compare ourselves with one other. The enemy of our hearts will try to get us to give in it. But don’t! Try some of these things instead. 

When the urge to compare strikes us here are four things we can do to punch it in the face:

Four Ways to Combat Comparison

1. Complement what you are comparing.

When I saw a very cute blog and the blogger had more followers than me, I was tempted to envy her and think mean things. Instead, I wrote her a comment about how I loved her blog design and looked forward to reading her posts. It’s humbling to complement someone else and reminds us that life is not a competition. 

2. Take some time away. 

Sometimes I can drown in comparison if I am spending too much time on social media. I start to look at these people as my standard for who I should be and I get overwhelmed. That's when I find it is best for me to get off social media for a week or even just a day to return my focus to Christ and who he says I am (which is loved, unique, special, important, and worthy!) 

3. Decide whether you will be inspired or be made insecure by others. 

It's our choice how we will respond to the gifts and lives of other people. No one can make us feel insecure, we have a choice in where to get our security: in Christ who never disappoints or in other flawed human beings and whether I am better or worse than them. Just because someone else is beautiful or creative doesn't mean that you aren't. Others’ beauty doesn't take away from you or make you any less beautiful. Which is a hard thing to wrap our minds around, I know. 

4. Memorize Scripture that talks about our different functions & gifts.

This is the number one best thing we can do in my opinion! The Word of God can help us overcome anything because it is living and active:

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Hiding it in our hearts can fight off comparison the moment it wants to catch us. Write out verses on notecards and post them around your house or in your car. Make a scripture memory journal (Or buy one: I have this one and this one is really cute too!) to reference as you are memorizing The Word. 

Here are two great passages to start with: 

-1 Corinthians 12:1-27 (We are all many parts of one body.)

-Psalm 139 (We are uniquely made.)

I hope these four things can help you combat comparison in your own life. 

What has helped you fight the temptation to compare?  

I would love to know your ideas!