With Whom May I Be Compared?

I came across a confession on X (formerly Twitter) where a woman shared a story about doing something outrageous due to the pressure and comparison she felt from her peers who were getting married.



Personally, I strongly dislike comparison, especially when individuals compare themselves to others instead of allowing someone else to do the comparing. It's unfortunate how people put unnecessary pressure on themselves. It's easy to fall into the trap of making irrelevant comparisons. Comparison can be done consciously or unconsciously, and our society tends to amplify this behaviour or, creating a sense of superiority and inferiority among individuals.

You might be wondering, "Is it always wrong to compare?" You may even argue that comparison is necessary to determine the best option among a group. That's a valid question. However, comparison is only necessary when the items being compared share equal features under the same conditions. Unfortunately, comparisons are often made without considering specific standards or conditions.

Let's consider an example: a father tells his daughter that her friends are getting married while she doesn't even have a boyfriend. At the same time, he advises her against going out and making friends. While her friends are out socializing and building connections, she spends her time at home with her family. Now, ask yourself, is this comparison worth it? This is just one of the countless instances where comparison only leads to feelings of inferiority, unworthiness, discontent, and jealousy.

The Apostle Paul in the Bible was well aware of the temptation of comparison (read 2 Corinthians 10:12-13). He made a conscious effort not to compare himself to other preachers of the gospel because he considered it unwise.

Comparing yourself to others, even your own siblings, is pointless because each person is naturally different. While your capabilities may be similar, they are not exactly the same. I could write numerous pages on why it's important to avoid unnecessary comparisons with others.

It's important to remember that constantly comparing yourself to others will never allow you to truly appreciate yourself or find contentment. When we constantly focus on comparing ourselves to others, we lose sight of our own unique qualities and hinder our personal growth.

Instead, try a different approach the next time you feel tempted to compare. Take a moment to compare your past self with who you are today. This simple comparison will provide you with enough information to reflect on your personal progress and appreciate how far you've come.