Comparisons

One thing I had a hard time dealing with as a kid was comparing myself to my sister. In High School I even took AP US History for a semester because I thought I would do well in it. I was wrong and was moved to a Honors US History class instead, where my grades were better and I had a much better time. Now I look back at that situation as a blessing from God, redeeming my weaknesses and providing a place for me to flourish.
I still struggle with comparisons sometimes. But no longer is it with my sister because I have been able to realize that she has much more book smarts than I do. That is how God made her and I have common sense and more patience and grace for others. The comparisons I struggle with is between fellow believers. Sometimes I might think they are better at praying than I am, or they seem to be part of the community more than I do. It is really silly but it happens. These feelings are a result of our insecurities. I do not know if we are born with this idea of comparing ourselves to each other. To an extent I think it is reasonable because you see someone else praying more, and you can be encouraged to do so. At least that is how it works for me. But, we have to keep in mind we do not begin to pray more to become a better than that person. It is not a competition.
I do think the insecurities that we face as adults root from our environment when we were growing up.
Paul reminds us to have sober judgement of ourselves. Romans 12:3. Paul's warning is not to think of us to highly of ourselves. Another word for sober can be sane. Sane judgement, not tho highly but also not to lowly. We think that only thinking highly of ourselves is wrong. That pride is sin. Yes to an extent, an over flowing amount of pride for what you do and not what God is doing I would say that is wrong. For we can only boast in Christ and him alone.
But, I also think when we do not have sane judgement and we think too lowly we are also doing wrong. We are sons and daughters of the God Almighty. We have been created in his image, God thought we were worthy enough for him to send his only son to die on the cross, so that we may be reconciled with him. We are worthy. We have to remember these things when be think lowly of ourselves.
Like my sister and I, we are different people and God gave me different gifts from her, the body of Christ is the same. There are different gifts and one is not better than the other. And as a community we are suppose to help each other to find these gifts and put them to use for the edification of each other for the praise and worship of Christ.

So remember, sane judgement, do not think to highly or to lowly of ourselves. We are loved in spite of who we are.