Comparison is the Enemy of Contentment
We all need to be careful when it comes to comparing. It is one of the things that can make us slip into discouragement. Comparing ourselves to someone who is either close to us and having great success or someone who is at the top of our field is a great temptation for all of us and the bible tells us that it is not a good thing to do.
Galatians 6:4: Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else. (TLB)
There will always be someone who has more success or more beauty, more wealth or more talent. The key to contentment is to thank God for what you have and who He made you to be. As the verse above says, do your “very best.” Whether you are a preacher, business person, musician or athlete, do your best and keep improving, but don’t look at others who have had more success and start to become self critical. This just leads to an unhappy heart, which, if continually dwelled on, can lead to an unhappy life.
The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:6, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (NIV) So do your best to grow in God and be content with who you are, where you are and who God made you to be. Contented people have joy and it is contagious. As a matter of a fact, you can help yourself even more by rejoicing with others who are doing well. “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” Romans 12:15 (NIV).
If you do these things, it will make your heart lighter, it will cause people to enjoy being around you and, ironically, being content with where you are and rejoicing with others will make it easier for you to succeed in your field and in life.
Grace and Truth,
Pastor Stan