Many of us realize that playing the comparison game leads to disaster. When we try to measure ourselves, our families or spouses, or anything against what others have, this is often a surefire way to end up discouraged and disappointed.

So why do we still do it so often?! Why do we still allow other’s vacation pictures to make us covet, other’s success to make us insecure, and our unfulfilled desires drive us to despair?

At least part of the reason for many Christians is that we do not know biblically how to stop. We know it is wrong, but lack the means to cut comparing out of our hearts. For some of us, it almost feels impossible to get out of this trap.

What is impossible with man is more than possible with God! I learned these comparison cutting truths from Desiring God, and have tweaked them over the years. Follow these seven steps by faith in God’s empowering grace:

When you wonder if you can even start because you don’t compare to others…
1. Jesus chose you. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you” (John 15:16).

When you come up short compared to others’ resources…
2. God equips you. “He will equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:21).

When you feel like you won’t have enough compared to others…
3. He is sufficient for you. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (1 Corinthians 12:9).

When everyone else is rewarded and recognized compared to you…
4. God sees you. “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

When everyone compares on outward factors…
5. God assesses. “The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

When you compare yourself to others who got to the end…
6. God will finish. “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

When you compare for all of time…
7. Jesus is always with you. “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

I pray these seven truths would cut comparisons out of your life!