Comparison Trap
Theme of the Week: Green-Eyed Monster
James Hilt
Thursday, July 15, 2004
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Key Bible Verse: Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else (Galatians 6:4, NIV). Bonus Reading:Genesis 37:2—24
"Several years ago, I encountered a family in which the father played favorites with his children. His son Chris excelled in several sports. Dave, on the other hand, leaned toward the arts and played in the school orchestra.
In his mid-teens, Dave concluded that his father—a huge sports fan—favored Chris over himself. Comparing himself to his brother, he blew Chris's qualities and achievements way out of proportion, ascribing to him a towering supremacy. And he lost sight of his own strengths.
Dave became increasingly cynical and jealous, which festered into bitterness toward Chris, and toward himself for not shining as brightly. This precipitated endless power struggles between them, a sibling rivalry that carried right over into adulthood.
To counter this, I helped Dave identify and place value on his God-given qualities and areas of success. He wrote a list of them in a notebook and reviewed them daily. I also tried to help him see the value of his interest in and talent for the arts. This helped Dave crawl out of his envy trap and begin to see himself as God does.
—James Hilt in Illinois
My Response: How can focusing on my God-given strengths move me beyond envy?
Thought to Apply: Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own.
—Harold Coffin
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Sovereign Lord, keep me from envying the accomplishments of others. Instead, make me grateful for and content with the gifts You've entrusted to me.
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