There are those days. Maybe you have experienced them. Times when our spirit sags and our focus becomes fuzzy. Times when the success of others gnaws away at us as we look at what we are accomplishing versus what others are doing. I’ve had those days. And I am not alone.

One of Satan’s tools for those in ministry is discouragement. That often comes when we begin to compare ourselves and our ministry work to others. Pretty soon we find ourselves in a downward spiral, and we begin one of those “pity parties.” You may be trying to look at the financial status of other ministries. You may look at the perceived effectiveness of another organization, or the number of staff or volunteers. Don’t fall into that trap.

I think of Elijah after his amazing experience on Mount Carmel. When God answered his prayers the followers of Baal were resoundingly defeated, and the Lord God was victorious. It wasn’t long, though, before Elijah was hiding away, alone, feeling sorry for himself. When asked by the Lord what he was doing out there, Elijah commented on how bad things were for the Lord’s prophets, declaring, “I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” Elijah was in that spiritual spiral leading to discouragement and despair.

When I find myself slipping in that direction, the thoughts of Oswald Chambers have provided both comfort and direction for my heart.

“If God chooses for you to serve Him in total obscurity, what is that to you?”

That admonition echoes the words of Jesus when Peter asked a self-serving question.

Peter…said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “…what is that to you? You follow Me.” John 21:21-22 NKJV

Yet our culture and our world push us to compare ourselves with others. Whether it is the cars we drive or the age our kids begin to walk or talk, we are trying to measure ourselves against a human standard. Our education systems usually lead us to think that way. Our relationships often reinforce that kind of thinking. But that isn’t God’s way.

There is a joke that says, “You are unique…just like everyone else!” Yet there is great truth there. God has given each of us a unique personality and calling. And His plan for you cannot be compared to anyone else’s plan or accomplishments. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

The solution is to be so in tune with the Lord in your daily, personal spiritual journey that you are not susceptible to the discouragement that Satan would like to use to make you less effective in your service to Christ.

Don’t look around. Look up.