How Comparison Breeds Discontent
Comparison
A sure-fire way to breed discontent is to make personal comparisons. How is it that we always compare ourselves with someone “higher” rather than with someone “lower”? Think about the folks you envy, or resent, or whose giftings cause fault or jealousy to stir in your mind. Are those folks of higher means or of lower means? Do they have more than you or less than you? We know the answer. God does, too.
Scripture cautions us to quench comparison. It says that we dare not compare ourselves with others. God says, “for those who measure themselves by others or compare themselves among themselves are not wise.”
When we compare ourselves with others, we become discontent. Tell me it ain’t so. We compare our spouses, our income, our houses, and even our kids with those of others. Someone else has it better than me; someone gets treated better or has more money. Someone else’s kids are more caring or gifted. The list goes on and on and on. We wish we had what somebody else has – and breed discontent. Someone else has gifts I wish I had. He has abilities I don’t possess, but wish I did. There are always things that someone else has that we wish we had.
Contentment
Contentment is satisfaction with the way things are. It doesn’t mean we must accept what is, nor does it mean we approve when things are wrong. Contentment does not mean we never want change. It does mean we are satisfied with how things are now. It does not mean we don’t pray and ask God to change hearts and circumstances. Contentment means we accept what is now without demanding more.
How to find contentment
Ask yourself: why do I wish or want things to be different? Is it my pride, my heart’s desire, or my comparison with others? Why does it matter so much to me? The issue is not so much what we wish we had, but why we want it so badly. Certainly, there are desires of our hearts we should pray for: the salvation of our children and grandchildren; wisdom and protection for those we love; grace for journeys of ours and others.
Yet, too often, our focus is not on these things. We focus not on the blessings we have. Instead, we focus on what we wish we had – and we are jealous of those who have what we are missing.
Change your focus from what you lack to the blessings you have. Regale in God’s goodness to you in this season of your life. Stop comparing and develop an attitude of gratefulness. You’ll be happier, and so will everyone else around you.
