Count Them In
“Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” 2 Corinthians 10:12
Comparing ourselves to others can lead to two negative results. One being elevating ourselves as better than someone else and becoming prideful, counting them out. The other route is considering ourselves to be less valuable than someone else and becoming self-conscious or resentful and jealous. As Kingdomers, we should do our best to not find ourselves wrapped up in prideful arrogance or resentful jealousy.
I was reading a book recently that I would classify as a “self-help” type genre. In it was a concept that I found rather profound. The idea was that when we compare ourselves to others, we are picking out one part of their life and making that the single source of value of them as well as yourself. Someone may have more money than you so you feel less valuable than them, without taking into consideration other things like your family life or a job you enjoy. The reverse of that is true as well, maybe you feel like you’re better than someone because you have furthered your education more than they have. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have places within yourself to improve and that the person you consider lower may be able to help you grow in some way.
The point I am hoping to make is that when you compare yourself to others, you are doing them, as well as yourself, a disservice. You have a lot to add to not only the world but the Kingdom. The people around you are equally as valuable so be careful not to count them out. We can change the world when we work together and bring the gifts YHWH gave us!