Tammy Carnevale has been a member of Faithful Finish Lines 2.0 since January of 2020 and has lost 125 so far, bringing her starting weight of 349 pounds down to 224 pounds. She also manages her Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia with the tools she has learned in FFL program. Her passion is to use her writing and her own experience to help and support other women on their own weight loss journeys and managing chronic illness.
If you struggle with comparison, you’re not alone. What does the Bible say about comparing yourself to others? Look at these Scriptures for guidance.
What does the Bible say about comparing yourself to others?
“I am not as well dressed as her.”
“I am not as well educated as her.”
“I am not as thin as the people in the room.”
“I am not good enough to be with these people.”
None of these thoughts spoke to God’s standards or my journey as a servant to God. The comparison game just acted as a thief of joy and kept my eyes fixed on myself.
By comparing myself, I was showing my own self-ambition and just wanting to be better than each person I compared myself to; otherwise, why compare?
It seems impossible not to compare yourself to others, whether on a weight loss journey, a health journey, a financial journey, or any other life journey.
On my personal journey, I can’t tell you how many times these comparison thoughts have taken over and how many times they have kept me from social events.
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV): “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
My bones were rotting, and occasionally they still do. So, how do I stop this inner monologue?
Heather Creekmore discusses advice in her article, “Hey Jealousy: Three Ways to Tame Envy & Covetousness”
- First, recognize it, confess it, and receive grace
- Second, think realistically: will having “her” body, money, home, etc. lead you to the perfect life? Will it lead you to God? Confess it and receive grace.
- Third, give yourself grace, accept God’s grace, and move on.
Overcome Comparison with God’s Grace
Are you seeing a main theme in this advice?
Grace. Trading your Guilt for Grace is a key cornerstone idea in the Faithful Finish Lines 2.0 Christian weight loss program.
Comparing ourselves is personal for each of us. I am going through a multi-layered health journey right now, both weight and a disease.
My weight began at 349 pounds; after weight loss surgery and following the guidelines in Faithful Finish Lines (FFL), I have lost 120 pounds and now weigh 229 pounds.
I still have weight to lose and will continue to follow FFL guidelines as I do. It is so difficult to look at others and not compare myself. I often ask,
“Why haven’t I lost as much as that person?”
“Why don’t I look like that person, who is at the same weight as I am?”
Social media can trick us with their filters and picture angles. But even in this tricky situation, we should fight against the urge to compare ourselves to others.
The second part of my journey is a diagnosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (my body kills its own red blood cells). I have needed various treatments and am still not in full remission. My next step may be a splenectomy. I have wrestled with the thoughts of:
“Why me?”
“Why can this person lose weight and be happy, but I still have to contend with this disease?”
But the truth is, God does not want me (or you!) to compare my journey with anyone else’s journey.
“For I know the plans I have for you’,” declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
He didn’t say I would make your life the same as your neighbors; He said He has plans for ME. For ME. Read that again,
He has plans for YOU!
Bible Verses On Comparing Yourself To Others
1. Galatians 6:4-5 – Carrying Your Own Load
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.”
Galatians 6:4-5
The focus in this verse is to look to yourself, not compare yourself to others. God does not compare you to others; He expects us all to carry our own load and do our own work.
2. Isaiah 2:22 – Look To God
“Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?”
Isaiah 2:22
Comparing yourself to “man” is just comparing yourself to a fallible image. All of us are short of God’s image. Just be better than yourself each day, and look to God as your example.
3. Proverbs 3: 5-6 – Acknowledge God
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Trust! Write on a sticky note, “I trust God” and hang it where you will see it daily. Trust God; He has this.
I have my sticky note right on my computer. I sit in front of it all day and read it throughout the day. I trust God!
Our understanding tells us we are less than, and “Suzy” has it better or does better than we do. “Suzy” is on her own journey, and remember, she is probably saying the same thing to herself: that she is not good enough. Trust God!
4. 1 Corinthians 11:1 – Imitate Jesus
“Be imitators of Me, as I am of Christ”
1 Corinthians 11:1
If you must compare yourself, compare yourself to Christ. He is our final destination. He is who we want to emulate.
5. Galatians 1:10 – Being A Servant Of Christ
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ ”
Galatians 1:10
To be a servant of Christ, we all must focus on Christ and not try to win the approval of others. It does not matter what your neighbor has, is doing, or has done; it only matters that we focus on God and what He wants us to do and be.
6. Romans 12:2 – Renew Your Mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Romans 12:2
How do I know what God wants me to do? A common question, one we have all asked from time to time. The answer is here.
Renew your mind and focus on God and His word.
7. 2 Timothy 1:7 – The Spirit God Gave Us
“For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7
This is one of my favorite verses. I have this posted in several locations in my home. God will give you the strength to compare only to yourself and His word, not to others. He has provided us with a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.
8. Hebrews 13:5 – God Is Always With You
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’’
Hebrews 13:5
That is a direct promise from God’s mouth, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” No human can ever meet that. Only work for God, He will be there to guide you, give you strength, and will never leave your side.
9. Romans 12:4-8 – Many Unique Gifts Make One Body
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, through many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach, if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Romans 12:4-8
This is such an inspiring verse. We each have our own good gifts. Do not compare what you do or look like with another, because their gift is different from yours. Be the best you can be and use your good gift for God.
10. John 14:27 Accept Peace
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
Not comparing is not easy. We are humans; we are fallible. God promises that He will give you peace as you take on this adventure. Even if you start feeling afraid or troubled, God will impart his peace, strength, and grace and help you along the way.
Live Knowing Your Worth Without The Comparison Trap
The Bible advises us against constantly comparing ourselves to each other. Instead, it encourages us to look to Jesus/God and to focus on our own actions, carry our own load, and trust God.
I want you to always remember…
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Psalm 139:14
YOU are a work of art, God’s work, and as you struggle to not compare yourself, also remember…
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13
For practical tips on avoiding the comparison trap, check out this article from Worth Beyond Rubies: Avoiding the comparison trap according to the Bible.
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