Musings from SHDZ ARK

There’s a disease running rampant in our Christian community . . . the disease of comparison. Too often, we fall prey to the temptation to compare our lot with the lot of others, and in the process become convinced that we got the short end of the deal. We compare jobs, houses, families, and even spouses.

Comparison of itself is a dangerous thing . . . 2 Corinthians 10:12 states, “But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (NKJV) When we compare, we are either filled with pride (which happens more rarely) or filled with despair (which is the more common response), but in either case, we are filled not with wisdom but with foolishness.

But the more lethal danger is that comparison often leads to covetousness—we begin to long for what we do not have. If only I had that job, that house . . . If only my children were like so and so’s children . . . If only . . . Discontent takes root in our heart, and ungratefulness permeates our being. Soon we find ourselves despising and tearing down the very things . . . and people . . . God has entrusted to us.

What’s more, covetousness leads to idolatry (see Colossians 3:5), and idolatry will dominate our life, effectively crowding out any meaningful worship of God. We become convinced that having whatever it is we do not have will truly solve our problems, and we become fixated on how “to get there.” In the process, we forget that only God is truly worthy of our worship, adoration, and focus.

So . . . how do we turn this deadly cycle around? We need to recognize its pervasive tentacles in our life, repent and put it to death (Colossians 3:5 again), ruthlessly refusing its continued access into the inner recesses of our heart. Furthermore, we need to choose an “attitude of gratitude,” giving thanks for what God HAS given us, first privately, and then publicly (see Colossians 3:15,17). The grass really is not greener in someone else’s lawn . . . they just have more weeds! You will be amazed how gratitude will change a toxic atmosphere that may have developed in your home into one that exudes life!