Compare Much?

When does a woman become an adult?  Perhaps it’s when she stops comparing her life to other women’s.

Linda Dillow, Calm My Anxious Heart:  A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment

 

We can all get caught in the comparison trap. But we must be wise and refuse to stay there.

The comparison trap.

Ever find yourself locked tight in it’s strong jaws?  Honestly, haven’t we all been there at least a time or two?

The journey toward contentment in my life has been a struggle.   I’ve learned the necessity of counting – numbering each gift, each blessing, each moment and recognizing that all is gift.

The journey has revealed much about my heart, my longings, my desires … and, sadly, much of what has filtered through is dark and ugly.  Not the ugly beautiful … the just plain ugly.

Selfish.

Prideful.

Brash.

Unkind.

Envious.

Jealous.

Covetous.

It seems contentment isn’t just about adding the practice of counting my gifts; contentment requires that I subtract comparing

That, in the words of Chicago, is “a hard habit to break.”

I’m finding that these two work hand-in-hand.  As I practice counting the blessings God has generously bestowed, purposefully numbering the gifts in my life, I find there is less time for comparing.  The grace of listing what I have pushes out the gravitation toward longing for what I have not.

The words of Paul ring in my head and encourage me always to keep pressing on, keep persevering, keep getting back up … contentment is possible … but only one way:

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content ​— ​whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. {Philippians 4:11-13, CSB}

Through Christ.

The only way to true contentment.   Counting points me to Him … comparing moves me away.   But it’s Him.  All Him.  Always Him.  Only Him.

What lessons are you learning lately?

Read the Psalms this summer with Scripture Dig!

Comments

    • Thank you, Stef! You are such a blessing to me. Oh and that whole beginning of Philippians 2 is TOUGH STUFF!!

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