A Prayer When Comparison Roars in Your Heart
By Jessica Van Roekel
Bible Reading: The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. - 1 Corinthians 3:8-9
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“You’re better than me” is a phrase that goes through my mind more often than I care to admit. It’s rooted in fear of rejection and insecurity, and rather than addressing these issues through God’s eyes, I spent too many years comparing myself to other people and coming up short. Comparison pumps me up or tears me down depending on who I’m comparing myself to, and I finally heard God whispering, “That’s enough, daughter. Let me reveal my truth.”
The Lord pointed me to Paul and his letters to the Corinthians. Reading the Corinthian letters requires careful interpretation because they are Paul’s responses to questions and concerns in a letter from the Corinthian church. One important thing to remember is that these letters address the kinds of problems churches can have when members remain “of the flesh” and do not distinguish themselves from the world through beliefs, behaviors, and lifestyles. The comparison trap is one of those responses driven by the old self.
When we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, God works a newness in our lives. He replaces a heart of stone for a tender heart and transforms us through the renewing of our mind. At the same time, we still have free will to choose to sow seeds according to our old selves or according to God’s spirit within us. Comparison sows the wrong kind of seeds and causes our way to be choked by weeds.
The key phrase in today’s passage reminds us that we are one. The Greek term for one is of the same importance or esteem. Each of God’s people fills a different role which is equally valid and significant for his purposes. When we aim all our efforts at the same purpose, it is God who brings people into a relationship with him and develops him or her into who he wants them to be. One ministry is not greater than the other, but we rate churches and ministry leaders by popularity and growth.
Serving in the nursery is just as important as serving on the stage. Volunteering in youth and taking meals to those who are housebound accomplish the same purpose. The visible ministries in a church are not greater than the behind-the-scenes ministry, and yet, I’ve heard people compare themselves in a negative light because they can’t sing or speak or lead like someone else.
Today’s passage paints a picture where each of us is vital to God’s ministry of bringing people to him. Later in 1 Corinthians, at the end of chapter fifteen, Paul writes, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Essentially, our reward is not based on our gifts, talent, visibility, or successes, but related to our obedience. Let’s remember that each of us is vital to God’s ministry of reconciliation.
As co-workers, we are joint promotor of God’s plan. We are companions, not rivals, which is what comparison stirs in our hearts. Our labor or work, whatever that may be, voluntarily endures trouble and heartache for the salvation of others. Those who plant and those who water are necessary to each other because both work toward the same goal.
We get the amazing opportunity to work with God. We cannot work without him, and he won’t work without us. He wants us as working partners and when comparison roars in our heart we grow distracted from what’s important.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for calling us to unity through our commitment to work with you in your ministry. One person is not greater than the other. Forgive us for letting comparison roar in our hearts. Comparing ourselves to each other doesn’t serve your people because it divides us into camps about who’s more important.
You call us to plant and water. Those who water can’t water seedless ground and those who plant will have seeds which die without those who water. We fool ourselves into thinking we make people grow, but it is you who causes growth in people and in our churches. Forgive us for puffing our ministries up at the expense of others. Forgive us also for diminishing our ministry because it’s not as flashy as someone else’s.
Help us to remember we are co-workers with you, and you value each of us by giving individual purposes for your collective plan for your church. Give us the courage to lay aside comparison and release the loud shouts about our “good enough-ness” and rest in the whisper of “Well done, good and faithful servant."
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
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Originally published Friday, 17 January 2025.
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