Peter, having just been told in what manner he would die, wondered aloud what would happen to John. We like to know what is going to happen to other people. We wonder why they get the good stuff and we don't (or vice versa). We like to compare. Comparison is not necessarily a bad thing. It has the potential to spur us toward better behavior, healthier choices, and/or much needed discipline. On the other hand, it may very well lead us to ingratitude, envy, jealousy, and depression.
Tag: comparison
When Your Life Isn’t “Pinterest-Perfect”
Share it. Like it. Post it. Pin it. “Wow! Look at that her newly-remodeled kitchen!” “Dude! Check out Jay’s awesome rig!” “Tim and Tammy are on vacation again! I wish I could go to Hawaii!” “I can’t believe he lost so much weight! How did he do that?” The moment we look up from these posts… Continue reading When Your Life Isn’t “Pinterest-Perfect”
The Trouble with Comparing Pain.
Over a month ago, I read some comments on a Facebook post discussing the damaging effects of vaccines. As is common with all vaccine-related discussions, the comments were awash with both sides of the debate. There is always someone bashing "anti-vaxxers" as being anti-science/stupid/ignorant/hateful/child-abusers/fill-in-the-blank-with-an-insult. One comment read, "I would rather live with a child that has autism than to have my child die of whooping cough."
And the greatest of these is….? (Comparison Cure #5)
It always comes down to love, doesn't it? Do you rejoice when your child does well? How about your spouse? Why? Because you love them!
The need for Compassion (Comparison Cure #4)
This is the fifth post in the series on Comparison Cures. To read the previous post, click here. Jenny steeled herself and walked purposefully through the familiar front door. The cozy little house was already buzzing with the chatter of women. Jenny plastered a smile on her face, determined not to be the dark cloud… Continue reading The need for Compassion (Comparison Cure #4)
Acceptance: what it is and what it is not. (Comparison Cure#2)
So often we think we've been dealt a bad hand. We see God as unjust and unfair---though I daresay we only think it in our heart. The truth is, Satan is trying to pull us away from God by any and every means possible. Satan will use wealth and prosperity to create pride, apathy and complacency. He inspired concentration camps to create despair and hopelessness. He destroys families, feeds loneliness and abandonment so that people will seek help outside of God, falling deeper into his clutches. God is not unaware of what goes on, and we are never beyond his reach. God is able to transform any agonizing trial into something glorious if we accept the situation and allow Him to work.
Comparison Cure #1: Contentment
Our high-powered culture tells us that if we apply ourselves and work hard, we can have the American Dream---2 (or more) new cars, a fancy-schmancy house in a good neighborhood, highly talented children, a fat 401(k) and all the latest and greatest toys. If you fall short of this dream, the unspoken assumption is that you are unmotivated and lazy. You should have more, you deserve more, you need more. But is that contentment?
Elihu's Corner 