Uniquely Gifted, Avoid the Comparison Trap

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 6, 2017

By Shana Schutte

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7

My husband, Clark, is imaginative and funny. Last summer, I told him that one Sunday, while holding his hand in church, that I focused on how it felt so that if he goes to heaven before me that I could always remember his touch. “Well,” he said, “if you like, I can get someone to make a latex replica of my hand. Then, whenever you want, you can hold it after I’m gone.”  His playful eyes sparkled. He lost me at the word “latex”. Ewwww.

Which brings me to the obvious point that we’re all unique. There have been times I have wished I had my husband’s—or someone else’s—wit, or their ability to draw others to them like a magnet. Sometimes I wish I was more extroverted, or that I had their gift to sing like a bird or build businesses so I could fund adoptions. But I don’t have those gifts. And that’s my point . . . gifts are gifts. That means that when you have a gift, it’s something you have been given. You didn’t give it to yourself. It’s a present from the One who gives the presents.

“Each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10).

Here are four pretty simple things to remember about these gifts that have been given from the One who gives the gifts:

1. Everyone has been given gifts—including me and you. No one has been left out.
2. Your gifts are different from others.
3. All gifts He gives are equally good because God doesn’t give junky gifts, so. . .
4. It’s a total waste of time wishing and whining and complaining that you had someone else’s gifts and for heaven’s sake (literally) stop comparing yourself to others.

If you don’t remember these four things, you’ll end up feeling downright cheated and angry and frustrated and miserable and grumpy and ungrateful for your life and what God has given you.

Be happy. There is no one quite like you.

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:11)!

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