I recently read this somewhere “Comparison is the thief of Joy”. It stuck with me for weeks. Ever more so in our society do we now see on social media, TV, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and the inevitable Facebook other peoples lives and what they’re doing, seeing, having, traveling to or experiencing.
I recall a time when we didn’t have any of these devices but we still came up with the saying (probably in the 80s) keeping up with the Jones’. As a kid I would look at what the popular kids wore or had or what they drove or the houses they were growing up in. Every so often that comparison crept in. Comparison back then though was usually only kept locally of who we knew or the people around us. Do you remember watching the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous with Robin Leech? That was then. But now more than ever we see everyone one around us and everyone else in the world in what they’re doing immediately, or what they have or how much wealth they posses or how famous they are, etc. Then that comparison creeps in. Imagine our children with all this comparison. It leads to seeds of doubt, insecurity, inadequacy, jealousy, rage.
When I first started Real Estate I was worried was I enough? …Smart enough, old enough, educated enough? Insecurity and fear seeped into my spirit. My Mentor and Broker could sense it and gave me these wise words, “Just as we put blinders on a horse to help keep out distractions, noise and fear to keep them moving forward, keep your blinders on. Don’t look at this Agent and that Agent in what they’re doing, amount of sales, or years of experience etc. Do what only YOU can do.” That has stuck with me in many facets of life over the years not just my career. Comparing what you lack over someone else will steal your Joy in a heartbeat. Don’t do it! It reminds me of the parable Jesus taught about the talents and multiplying the talents. One person was given 5; one 2 talents and one was given 1 talent. The 5 multiplied his to 10, the one with 2 multiplied to 4 but the one became jealous and angry that he was only given 1 and buried it instead of multipling it. I always think of the person that received 2. He did not compare or become jealous of the one that received 5. He had his blinders on and worked with what God had given Him. And God said well done thy good and faithful servant to the one with 5 and 2.
Now I’m not saying be lazy, or not have ambition to have goals and aspirations in life. Nor does this mean if you have many things in life, that aspirations and possessions are a sin. Both are far from the truth. What I am wanting to express is be happy in what YOU are given! For there is so much joy to be had in this life if you have Jesus in your heart.
Jesus said, Because I live, you will also live. On that day, you will realize I am in my Father and you are in Me, and I am in you. (John 14:19-20). If you have Christ in you, you are enough.
I need to mention a final point. We also sometimes are our own worst enemy. We beat ourselves up in thinking, we don’t have enough money. We don’t have enough house or we don’t travel enough or if I just had “fill in the blank” then I’d be happy. Check yourself in those moments. Stop stealing your own joy. Put your blinders on. Be thankful for what you’ve been given. Do everything to the best of your ability. And never let anyone steal your JOY.
Matthew 25:14-30 parable of the talents
Phillipians 4:12 know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.
John 15:11
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.