Does anyone else see that Satan teaches us to compare ourselves to others? I know my husband says this in a effort to make me feel good, but I end up feeling sad and I bet it is discouraging for him to think I'm "So far ahead of him." Last night I finally told him to stop, it wasn't true and I didn't want him to say it any more. "But you are, you are so compassionate and kind, loving and patient, it comes easy for you. I have so far to go!" So I asked him if Benjamin is better then Glen because he has an easier time doing math. "No." We do not compare our children to each other and I don't think Heavenly Father wants us to compare ourselves to each other either. I am compassionate, patient and loving, those things *do* all come easily to me. Maybe it is like the joy in Heaven over one repentant sinner more then the 99 who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7) Just maybe Heavenly Father is more proud of John for all of his hard work to be patient and kind, to show love even when it's hard, then he is of me for the same thing because it comes easily for me. I do not know the mind of God, but I do know that Heavenly Father loves all of us for who we are and He does not compare us, so we should not compare ourselves.
Darren has never said this to me. I agree with your point that we shouldn't compare, but I'll be completely honest, sometimes I envy the women whose husbands praise them so highly. In this case I'm the one who feels like he's so far ahead of me, and yes, it's discouraging, just like you said. I don't think he really sees me as inferior, but he never says anything either way, so there's room for all my insecurities to creep in. So this is a compliment I wouldn't mind hearing from him.
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