Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Don't Compare Yourself

I read this article and found that it is so true to so many of us. We compare ourselves and we waited for too long ... read on and be encouraged!

The surest way to get discouraged is to compare yourself with others. The Bible says, "Don't compare yourself" (Galatians 6:4 CEV), because some people will look like they're doing a better job and you'll get disheartened, while others won't be as effective and you'll become proud. "Concentrate on doing your best… (2 Timothy 2:15 TM). That way, "You will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and… won't need to compare yourself… (Galatians 6:4 NLT). All the apples on a tree don't ripen at the same time. Paul says, 'knowledge and understanding' take time (Philippians 1:9-10).
One successful author says, "When I began writing, I found myself fumbling with that part of myself. 'I want to be a writer,' I'd think, 'but I have to get this number of books published and this number of good reviews first.' It can take years and many successes in any new area… before we can confidently say to ourselves and others, 'I am'… what has God called you to do? Don't wait until you're successful… Start now by saying you are what you want to become… Yes, you've much to learn… and you may not be an expert… but you don't have to be, to say those two little words I am."
John writes: "Now we are children of God, and we have not yet been shown what we will be in the future" (1 John 3:2 NCV). God uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines and imperfect people to do His perfect will. So, push ahead, cut yourself some slack, and remember you're a W.I.P. - a work-in-progress!

9 comments:

Reanaclaire said...

good morning William.. say it a coincidence or not.. this morning i was feeling a bit downhearted.. few things were on my mind besides getting "banged" by a car when I was dropping my girl to school.. nothing serious happened, just a big scratch of 2 feet... sigh.. 2ndly to that, i was thinking of my blogs.. how to improve it and why some others can do such a good job on the blogs... well, i guess i did compare myself to them and being human, i felt sort of discouraged.. but your Bible verses u wrote kind of lifted me up.. i guess i should do my best and not to compare... it will only brings discouragement if not motivation...after all, this is not something we should spend lots of time on..
Thank God for another wonderful day though things dont come my way....
(oh btw, i tot u are a pastor?)

suituapui said...

Yes. In DESIDERATA, the advice is "Do not compare yourself with others lest you become vain and bitter for always there will be better and lesser persons than yourself."

ladyviral said...

The cantonese phrase "human compare human, compare until human die" something like that haha :P

Merryn said...

William, my philosophy is, compare to progress, not compare for heartache. My hubs always tell me, if he doesnt compare, he wont progress. He takes comparison as a push to go forward. But at the same time, must be thankful of what we have. :)

William said...

Claire: Sorry to hear of the scratch on the paint. No worry, it is something not a priority in life. My cars have many scratches until I learn how to let go!
Successful blog is chance, luck and etc. But if you are passionate about your blog and you have a clear objective, don't worry even if you have only 100 readers a day. It has already served it purposes.
So, be encouraged and looks at God and worry not.
Prophesy ah? Many people do call me pastor. It is ok in it original meaning. But in some churches, you cannot simply call someone pastor.

STP: Ya... one ones!

Ladyviral: True. Be yourself but always strive to better self.

Merryn: Ya, that is a good one too. Not the kiasu attitude. But a little of it is good as long as one is not obsessed.

wenn said...

ya..just be yrself..

Janice ♥ said...

i read somewhere and it says, do not compare yourself with others becoz you are not them! But compare how you were like in the past and now in the present and see whether if you have made any progress/improvement or not.

Michael Shawn Keller said...

Thanks for the great blog. You are so right that you should not compare yourself but only learn from each other. God gave us free will and desire, desire to better ourselves and the world. We should all take the time to shine our light of Love with our talents. I really think you should write and keep writing! Get Gods message out to all who will read or listen.
Have fun and God bless,
Mike Keller
author
www.lifeinaweek.com

William said...

Janice: That is very true also..

Mike: Thanks for your encouraging words and visit! May your writing be blessed! And may your book be a blessing for many.
God bless,
William