Monday Muse:: My Comparison Trap

First of all let me tell you that Emory is home today due to a teacher work day at his school. When he is home with us, we never know what will happen?.
Case in point: so there I was on the treadmill, because it’s raining yet again today, Andrew was sitting at his computer working, and above the podcast I was listening to I heard the lovely tune of a harmonica. Odd, I thought. I laughed and looked over to where Andrew was sitting and said, “Is he playing a harmonica?”

He’s played it off and on all morning…and dare I say he’s getting pretty good at it.

In between tunes, he screams at the tv. I messaged two friends this morning that he keeps yelling at Dora…he disagrees with everything she says ?‍♀️

Now that I’ve shared that with you and hopefully you had a little chuckle, here’s where my heart is today. I’ve recently started a new Bible study called Take Courage by Jennifer Rothschild. It’s based on the book of the Bible, Haggai and his four sermons to the Jewish people.

This morning I was reading and studying chapter 2, specifically verse 3 where the elder Jews are comparing the current temple being built to the former one of Solomon – the one that was destroyed.
Without getting too in depth with the study, the idea is that they were caught in the trap of comparison and thus became discouraged and started complaining. They even said it was “nothing like” the former temple.

When the study questions turned to a personal reflection, I recalled all the times where I’ve become like those of the Old Testament, lamenting of my shortcomings.

Maybe you can relate? I scroll social media {that trap of all comparison traps} and see someone’s house, possessions, look/appearance, etc. and find myself in despair over being “nothing like” them or what they have.

Even with my work, I go to our projects and start thinking about so-and-so’s remodeling ideas and projects, and wonder if mine are even good enough.

I feel self-conscious can become discouraged and even fall into despair. How about you?

A quote from my study book was a precious reminder this morning: Using someone else’s gifts or calling is a crooked measuring stick.

I pondered that for a bit…If using someone else’s gifts, talents, or calling is the crooked measuring stick…., then the straight measuring stick would be mine – issued by God. Right?

What are my unique gifts, talents and calling? What are yours? What if we focused more on our own abilities, ways we have been blessed by the Lord, instead of thinking, I don’t have her _______.

So, what do you have? What are your gifts and talents? What is your calling in life? In what ways has the Lord blessed you? If you haven’t cataloged all the ways in a while, let me urge you to do just that.

The best way to get out of the comparison trap is to look around and remember what you do have… “…once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” – Germany Kent

I’d love to hear your thoughts on your own comparison trap if you’re so moved to share ?

Until next time…