COMPARISON WILL STEAL YOUR JOY

About a year after responding to God’s call to ministry, I had reason to come to Ibadan. Coincidentally, I ran into one of my classmates. He was coming from a court in another state. He drove exactly the type of car I was driving. His own was flashy red. We had some time exchanging pleasantries.

After we parted ways, the thoughts came in a flood- “Your colleagues are already driving their own cars. You are still borrowing your Dad’s car.” I shook it off. But then landed the next thought, “Would your life not have been better off if you had also taken on legal practice?”. I knew I had to shut down that strange thought at that moment. I did this immediately by speaking and giving thanks.

You will lose your joy if you fall into the comparison trap. If you nurse that thought, you will soon misbehave. The trap of comparison is as old as Cain and Abel:

Genesis 4:5 AMPC
[5] But for Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed.

Cain must have invested his thoughts in comparing himself to Abel, and he reached an irrational conclusion- killing Abel! How does that even make your sacrifice better?

The comparison did not just steal his joy; it robbed him of wisdom. And that is scriptural.

II Corinthians 10:12 NKJV
[12] For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

You can sincerely appraise yourself and be grateful without bringing in any other person or what they have achieved.

Galatians 6:4 AMPC
[4] But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

When you do that, you have the personal satisfaction and the joy of doing something commendable. It will also keep you away from boastful comparisons that can seduce your soul into depression.

Be patient. We all have our journey that we will undertake. Life is in seasons. Do not be in a hurry. Get into thanksgiving. Thank the Lord for what He has done. Be contented.

Comparison will steal your joy. Do not let it happen!