Frustrated with myself, I tried to do the Christian thing. I wanted to be happy for her. Wonderful circumstances had just fallen on her, and she was realizing my goal. The goal I had worked years for. Yes, I was closer to reaching it yet I was still a work in progress. She had done very little, and it seemed to just fall in her lap.
How is that fair, God?
Maybe you can relate. Ever battle with trying to be happy for someone? Trying to celebrate publicly while asking God privately, why?
We are not alone. There is the brother of the prodigal son; he knows what we feel.
We read in Luke 15:25-30 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
He was back. The one who left others to do all the work. The one who had worried Father for practically forever.
Now, he was back. And, by all appearances his time away had not been well spent. And yet, Father was beside himself, running out to meet him before he even darkened the doorway. And, the fattened calf was be killed. There would be feasting tonight.
Why are we celebrating? Why the fuss? Haven’t I done all that was expected? Wasn’t I the honorable son?
Comparisons can kill. They steal life from our hearts, silent our spirits, and ruin our relationships. Maybe like me, this hits home.
God doesn’t want us comparing ourselves to one another. He has a specific plan for each of us. We don’t need to envy other’s gifts or talents, spouses or kids, careers or faith. We don’t need to believe those lies of, “I deserve more,” or, “My life would be so much better if I only had that set of circumstances.”
Comparisons kill by taking the focus off the blessings God has given and pointing to what He has not.
Comparisons kill by halting obedience to God’s plan for our lives by our choosing to distractedly daydream about someone else’s path.
Comparisons kill by pushing us into a pit of self-pity instead of allowing us to fix our focus on God guiding us down the path He authored.
Comparisons kill by slowly destroying the soul.
We must learn to compare ourselves only to the person seen in the mirror yesterday. Improve upon that person, her faith, her actions, her thoughts. Above all let God lead. Because when we choose to follow Him, we never suffer by comparison.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You know my heart. Please help me to practice an attitude of gratitude. To not compare to another child of Your’s. To be grateful for what You have given me. Even the challenges, the trials, the things I wouldn’t have authored. I trust You will grow me through these things. I trust You will grow me closer to You. Thank You for holding me in the palm of Your hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.