Theodore Roosevelt is credited with saying “comparison is the thief of joy.” I will go further in saying comparison can make having a spirit of thanksgiving impossible. It is hard to be thankful for you children when you think I wish my kids were as successful as so-and-so’s kids. It’s hard to be thankful for your spouse when you compare your relationship to someone else’s. And it’s hard to be thankful for your home and other blessings when you think that other person has so much more than me.
In our “Pinterest perfect,” social media influenced lives, this call to not compare your life to others can feel like a daunting task. Dare I say, this is exactly the mindset in which the accuser wants you trapped. Using comparison to question the differences in life can lead one into feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and even resentment. Why don’t I have what they have? Why can’t my family be as successful as theirs? Does God care for them more than me?
These feelings are contrary to having a spirit of thanksgiving, and can be a stumbling block for your faith. The disillusionment that comes from a comparison mindset can cause one to doubt the goodness of God. This leads down a slippery slope as you start to not trust God’s provision in your life so you pull back to hold on to what you have. When you pull back from God in this way He cannot give you more because you have shown that you are not a good steward. (See The Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25: 14-30) Do not allow the comparison mindset to spoil your faith. Be content with what you have and trust that God wants good for you and your family. Then your well of thanksgiving can overflow and your joy can be complete.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.”
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service in not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 2 Corinthians 9: 8-12
If you are going to compare your current situation to anything let it be the old you. Out of the darkness of the past there is light. Out of old sins, that brought hurt and shame, comes a new life and love. Praise Jesus that we have so much more ahead of us than what is behind. Let that fuel our spirit of thanksgiving and not let negative comparisons rob us of celebrating what God has done.
Author Dellaca Ferraiz Reynolds 