Comparison – Day 37

Psalm 37

⁷ Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him;
    do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
    over those who carry out evil devices.

⁸ Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
    Do not fret—it leads only to evil.
⁹ For the wicked shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

We can spend way too much time and energy on comparing ourselves to other people.  It happens so easily, without even taking notice.  Social media provides us with endless opportunities to scroll through the highlights of other people.  We see what others are doing or wearing or how they are living.  We wonder why our lives aren’t like that.  We wonder what we are doing wrong and why we can’t succeed like them.  It’s an endless spiral which really takes us nowhere except down a deep, dark pit.

Today’s Psalm is about learning patience.  But in this particular set of verses, I hear God redirecting us when we are comparing ourselves to other people.  He has a plan and a purpose for us. When we stop comparing and instead begin evaluating the goodness right before us, our perspective changes.  We see we have food on the table.  We begin to see we have a family and friends who support us.  Our vision becomes clearer on what we have.  It doesn’t matter what someone else has.  We don’t know their struggle or what they did to obtain those things.  And it doesn’t matter.

I think the point is to do the right thing with what we have been given.  What are we doing with the resources God has put in our lap?  What are we doing with the skills and gifts God has given us?  If we stop worrying about anyone else, how might we see the bounty in our own home?  When we focus on ourselves, our relationship with God, doing the right thing and being who God has made us to be, our view completely changes.  

Today, may we stop looking around at others and instead find ways to be grateful for what we have.  May we use the resources and gifts God has given us for his glory today.  May we find joy in what we have been given.