I’m told the Finnish people have a saying:

Some have happiness; everyone has summer.

Of course, in Finland, summer is bound to be better than winter, so the saying gives the Fins something positive to look forward to. It makes sense.

How are you doing? What is your outlook for today…tomorrow…next week? And how do you know if you are doing OK?

One of the easiest things for all of us to do is to compare ourselves to others. We may look at other ministries, other leaders, and other parents and determine that we’re not doing as well as others. Comparison. It can kill the spirit.

Someone has said, “We often judge ourselves by our intentions and judge others by their actions!” That can be a spirit-killer, too. I’ve often said that we compare our worst with someone else’s best. And we lose out when we do that.

Leadership expert John Maxwell warns those who lead not to look at the performance of others as their guide.

“Leaders must avoid comparisons. It’s a no-win activity. The only worthy comparison is between who you are and who God created you to be. God doesn’t condemn you when you fall short—he gives you the tools to become the person he wants you to be.”

I love that. God is more interested in seeing you lead successfully…obediently…than He is in putting you down when you don’t “measure up” to others.

I know…easier said than done.

When some of the Corinthian believers tried to tell Paul he didn’t measure up to others, he didn’t mince words in putting that idea down.

Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

2 Corinthians 10:12 NLT

In Luke’s account of one of Jesus’ parables, we see that comparisons can bring bad results when we go the other way, thinking we are better than another. Jesus was not too kind in the story of the Pharisee who prayed:

I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!

Luke 18:11b NLT

Jesus proclaimed it was the humble tax collector who went home justified before God.

Comparisons are seldom, if ever, good. Know who you are in Christ, and remember, you are serving God, not man. Let Him enable you to do His will His way…and in His strength.

Don’t get downhearted. Your summer…your good days…may be right around the corner.

God’s best,