Should we Ever be Comparing Ourselves, with Others???

I’m thinking that this week’s post, might be a bit of a lightbulb moment for me.

I was having a bit of a daydream, thought process, where I was having a conversation with a content creator, who I have just recently come across
(I’ve only seen their social content.)

During this conversation, my thoughts were going to a place, where I was wanting to compare the difficulties that we faced to the difficulties that they face. But, then it struck me, that, even the thought process of doing this, was just so offensive, to me!
It just felt, so wrong!
Which, in a roundabout way, has led to this week’s blog post title of,
“Should we Ever be Comparing Ourselves, with Others???”

l then did a quick web search, that led me to a page, that then just confirmed to me, that this is a very sensible question to ask.

I’m thinking that, part of my problem is, that it’s so ingrained in me, so that I do it, (comparing to others), without even thinking about it.

I’m aware of the need to focus on what you can do, over what you can’t do.
There has been many times, in the past, when I’ve spoken this very thought to my wife, when I’ve been trying to encourage her to be thankful, for what we do have.

Now that I’m thinking about it, I’ve even got a previous post of “God is my Judge“, where I look into the thoughts of, “I don’t need to worry about what you think of me, because, it’s what my God thinks of me, that is, the bit that matters.”

So, I’m starting to see, that I am aware of this thought, on one level, but that I’m probably missing so much more.

I’m now starting to think, that this is even covered, in the very beginning, in the ten commandments.

Exodus 20:17
¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.”

Could this scripture also apply to, your neighbour’s abilities, looks and everything else?
Does this strike at the very heart of, “You shouldn’t compare yourself to others, but instead, listen to what your God is saying to you, about you?”

Now, I’m not saying that we should “never compare again”, as that would just be an impossible ask.
But, when it comes to our self worth, could we start to be aware of the dangers of, comparing, in the wrong way, and as such, try to do better, in the future.

I’m thinking that I may have a new subject matter to think about, look into, which may or may not, lead to further posts… ???

But, for right now, I’ll finish, as I started, with the thought of…

Should we Ever be Comparing Ourselves, with Others???