Bible Passage: “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 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 14:30
I gave up social media during COVID-19, and my soul is better for it.
There were lots of reasons to give it up—it wasted time, shortened my attention span, and didn’t make me feel great about life. I got weary of the fighting, political disagreements, accusations, and anger that I saw Christians flinging at each other online.
This makes me sound old, but remember when social media first came out, and it was just a place where we posted pictures of our families or the dessert we were about to eat?
Another significant problem that I didn’t even realize until I got rid of my socials was how easy it was for me to envy others—and envy is never good for us (Proverbs 14:30).
No one posts on social media about the fight they just had with their wife, the struggle they’re facing with one of the kids, or the financial worries that keep them up at night. Instead, we post only our best selves, heavily edited to present our best possible face to the world.
When that happens, it’s easy to look at others and see what I don’t have.
I don’t have that vacation. Or that car. Or those abs. Or that big house. Or that apparently perfect marriage. I’m not going to that concert, or even seeing my church experience that level of growth that another pastor is boasting about.
There are so many things for men to compare themselves against online that it’s easy to feel like we’re falling short or failing. And with that sense of failure often comes shame.
But against that attitude comes Paul’s clear words in today’s passage.
A mentor of mine used to say, “Comparing yourself to others generally produces two unhealthy outcomes: either you look down on them and inflate yourself, or you inflate them and look down on yourself. Neither is good.”
Scripture tells us to focus first and foremost on ourselves—what we’re doing. Be thankful for what we’ve got. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and not on other distractions. He knows who we are, and He knows where we’re going.
As has often been said, the only man I need to compare myself to is the one I was yesterday. Anything beyond this leads to unnecessary comparisons and shame that drain a man’s strength, and men can’t afford to lose that strength.
Prayer: Lord, I’m sorry for those times that I compare myself to others in an unhealthy way. Help me to focus on what You’ve called me to do, where You’ve called me to do it, and to be grateful for all that I have. Amen.
Reflection: Consider taking a 2-week break from all social media. Take note of what happens to your soul as you do, especially in light of today’s topic!
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