We have all heard the saying “the grass is greener on the other side”, but it’s a lie from the pit of hell. It’s an illusion designed to get you comparing what you have with what others have; leaving you discouraged, depressed and full of discontentment. Comparison is the thief of joy!
Jesus spoke into this subject in John 21:20-22. He actually puts a stop to it when Peter asks Him about John. Let’s read it, Peter turned and saw Jesus' favourite disciple following them. He was the same one who had sat next to Jesus at the meal and had asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” When Peter saw that disciple, he asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “What is it to you, if I want him to live until I return? You must follow me.
I can imagine Peter and Jesus walking and talking together and as Peter sees John he has a moment of insecurity, self-doubt or maybe even jealousy, knowing how much Jesus loves John. He feels that niggle and wonders what Jesus feels for John or has in store for him. But Jesus tells him straight, “that’s no concern of yours; just be you and live out your unique life and calling. Leave John to me; keep your focus on me and on no one else.”
Many times in life we can be guilty of comparing ourselves with others. We look around and see someone who doesn’t seem to have the struggles and challenges that we have. Everything seems to, or at least appears to, come easy to them. It seems that their life, work, marriage, finances, children – in fact everything – has the favour of God upon it and everything is going so well for them. And then we start wondering, “what’s wrong with me? Doesn’t Jesus love me? Have I failed in some way? Is there sin in my life? What’s blocking the blessing of God?” And the comparisons begin, and we start moaning our lot to the Lord, feeling it’s not fair that they have it so easy.
Don’t fall into this ugly trap of the devil. Remember the following truths and accept what the Lord has purposed and allowed in your life:
You are unique. Jesus doesn’t take a cookie-cutter and make everyone the same. He wonderfully and beautifully creates each and every person with a unique purpose, calling, gifting and path to walk. Accept that uniqueness; be yourself and live it out fully as an act of worship to the Lord.
Acknowledge that others are also unique in every way. They are not you and you are not them. Be comfortable in who you are and who you are not. Let them be themselves and don’t try make them like you, or you trying to become like them. That’s the quickest way to snuff the life of God out in you. And the truth is, you are only seeing the public persona of the person, not the behind the scenes process. You haven’t walked in their footsteps and so you don’t know the reality of their journey to where they are now. We all have a story of being changed from one degree of glory to the next.
Finally, adjust your sight. Correct your view. Look to Jesus the One whom your life is all about. Keep your eyes on Him and suddenly everything else fades into insignificance in the light of His glory and grace. It’s keeping your eyes upon the main thing – Jesus, who assists you and I from falling into the curse of comparison and into the trap of the evil one.