A farm boy got a white football for Christmas. He played with it awhile and then kicked it over into the neighbor's yard by accident. The neighbor's old rooster ran out, looked at it, and called the hens together to see it. "Now look here," the rooster said, "I don't want you girls to think I'm complaining, but I just want you to see what they are laying next door." 

Comparison and competition are issues that can plague the lives of individuals, families and churches. Theodore Roosevelt called comparison the thief of joy. When we compare our circumstances with others we can become either dissatisfied or arrogant in our circumstances. 

“Look at so and so,” we might say, “why can’t we have what they have, do what they do or be who they are?” Without even knowing the full story, we can idealize other people’s situations, and it is a slippery slope toward becoming discontent with our own life situation. Proverbs 14:30 says, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." Paul writes to Timothy, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” (1 Timothy 6:6-8)

On the flip side, we could say, “Look at so and so… I sure am glad that we don’t have those problems, kids that do that, in-laws that act like that, etc.” Comparison in this way can cause us to become proud and arrogant. 

There is great wisdom in being content and satisfied with what our position in life is, regardless of the circumstances. You might not know why the Lord has you in your current situation--it often makes no sense until you have come through the other side. We would be wise to persevere, keep close to the Lord and rest in knowing that God has a plan for each of us, and He desires us to be faithful and endure hardships with grace and find joy in the blessings. Galatians 6:4 warns, "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." 

Identify the mountain or challenge in front of you, without looking at your neighbor's mountain.  We must each make a plan for how we will get over our own obstacles. Trust in the Lord for each step, resting in His knowledge and grace, seeking help from other believers that have already made it over this hill, and eventually you will see over the other side. That is when you can celebrate, look back over the hill you just climbed and praise the Lord that He is faithful and helped you to overcome. 

Love ya, 

Chris