how to embrace community over comparison.
How do we celebrate others’ successes when we haven’t yet reached our goals?
How do we champion the one who got their dream job when we’re still waiting on ours?
How do we love others when all we feel is jealousy toward them?
These are struggles that many of us face, but we rarely talk about them openly. Instead, we get caught in a cycle of comparison and competition. We put our worth is in our achievements and use the lives of others to gauge if we’re ahead or behind. We get so desperate to prove ourselves that it becomes unbearable to watch others succeed.
Friend, it’s time to say no to the lies, step away from comparison, and dive into what scripture says about our identity as Christ followers. The truth is, we cannot truly love others when deep down we’re jealous of them. We cannot truly champion others while we’re secretly bitter and resentful. When we’re stuck in the rut of comparison and competition, we cannot function in our fullest capacity as disciples of Jesus. So how do we step away from comparison and into freedom?
Understanding Your Identity
First, we need to understand what God says about us. We are each created in God’s image, intentionally purposed to reflect His glory into all the Earth (Genesis 1:27). Through Christ, we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9). We are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). Because of Jesus, we are inherently worthy regardless of our status, platform, achievements, wealth, or success.
We are all given the same purpose: to love God and others, and to bring hope to a broken world. And yet, we were all created with different gifts, traits, and talents. Why is that?
The Body of Christ
Scripture puts it plainly:
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? (1 Corinthians 12:12-17).
Think about how ineffective the body of Christ would be if we all had the same talents, the same jobs, the same passions, and the same personality traits. If all believers were talented preachers but no one was a gifted school teacher, who would reach those in the education system? And if every believer was a business-savvy accountant, who would reach those in the medical field? Every single talent, ability, and arena is necessary when it comes to living out the Great Commission.
Walking in Your God-Given Purpose
When we don’t operate in our God-given gifts and try to imitate the lives of others, we create a void in the body of Christ that we were intended to fill. Perhaps you love making films, or coaching sports, or writing short stories. I believe your passions have a God-given assignment attached to them. Instead of copying the lives of others, begin walking in the purposes God is calling you to.
And remember this important truth: Our talents and gifts aren’t about our fame and recognition—they’re about building the kingdom and bringing glory to our Heavenly Father. God is the giver of our gifts and there is no talent we have that He did not give us. Friend, God has intentionally designed you for a purpose. And that girl you’re comparing yourself to? God has intentionally designed her for a purpose too.
The Power of Celebrating Others' Success
So how do we stop competing and comparing? We must truly and sincerely celebrate others’ victories. Next time you find yourself feeling jealous and bitter towards another Christ follower, move away from the desire to tear them down. Instead, pray for their successes. Encourage them and uplift them consistently.
The successes of other believers are worth being celebrated because the kingdom of God is being forwarded through them, which is a victory for you just as much as it is for them. We are all on one team, with one common mission. A team cannot be effective if the individual members are stuck in pride.
Teamwork in the Body of Christ
Think about this analogy. In a soccer game, a team of players works together to achieve a common goal. Each player’s purpose is the same—to win the game. And yet, each player has a different assignment. Some have the assignment to play defense, some to play offense, some to score goals. Each role is equally important and all the moving parts work together to accomplish a purpose. The team’s coach is knowledgeable about soccer and places each player in the position where they’ll be most successful and effective.
Now, imagine if everyone wanted to be a goal scorer. Without a doubt, being a goal scorer looks glamorous. It probably results in attention, recognition, and a great reputation. But if everyone had the assignment to score goals, the game couldn’t be won. There would be no one to block the opposing team from scoring.
Think about the goalkeeper, who doesn’t get to run up the field, make moves, and score goals. The goalkeeper is essentially stationed in one spot the whole time, but their role is vital to the success of the team.
Imagine if these soccer players were competing against their own teammates, stealing the ball from one another and pushing each other down. That team would be incredibly ineffective. Athletes understand that when one teammate scores a goal, it’s a win for everyone. They would find it ridiculous to become jealous, bitter, and angry when their fellow player scores. Rather, the team celebrates together, hugging one another, and congratulating the goal scorer from a place of sincerity. Because of their teammate’s success, the whole group is now on their way to victory! A win for one part of the body is a win for the whole body. We cannot overcome comparison unless we view other believers as teammates, not competitors.
Unity in the Body of Christ
Similarly, in an orchestra, each instrument blends together to create a heavenly symphony of sound. The violins, violas, and cellos mix beautifully with the grand piano, powerful percussion, airy woodwinds, and magnificent brass instruments, producing a musical masterpiece. If one of these instruments were to be removed, the orchestra would lose its magical touch. It’s the different sounds united together that make listening to an orchestra such a wonderful experience. In the body of Christ, God chooses to reflect His glory in different traits, colors, and combinations in every one of His children. When we walk in the assignment God has for us, we play a part in a bigger picture.
So friend, remember that you are an irreplaceable part of the body of Christ. When you step into the assignment God has given you, the kingdom of God advances. Let’s champion one another, love one another, and view each other as teammates in this life.
