Wishful Thinking~

Greetings,

Nowadays all it takes is a simple swipe of our phones and we can check out how others are spending their money, who they are spending it with, and how perfectly attractive, healthy, and happy they look while they are spending it.  Sometimes it’s hard not to be envious, and wishful thinking can creep up on us. 

I remember a while back reading about someone’s high schooler going off to a prestigious university with a full ride and my first thought was, “It must be nice not having student loans.”

My initial reaction should have been more about the beautiful blessing this family was receiving, rather than comparing my post-graduate debt-filled life to theirs.  And God knows we have the tendency to compare ourselves with others, so He cautions us in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”

God is literally in my face flat out telling me I’m a dummy when I use others’ lives, experiences, social media posts, whatever, as a standard for what I do or do not have in this life. 

Has it ever happened to you?

“I wish I had kids like theirs.”

“I wish I had a relationship like theirs.”

“I wish I could take a vacation like theirs.”

“I wish I had a body like that.”

The truth is we don’t know 100% of anyone’s truth, and lamenting what we have or don’t have takes our focus off the One Who has “graciously given us all things” (Romans 8:32).

Rather than trying to measure up to others, lets be wise and be grateful for the blessings we have and for all the ones headed our way.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive us if we have ever been so caught up focusing on others that we lose sight of You.  We want to be wise in everything we do, and it wise to look to You and trust You for everything we will ever need rather than waste time comparing ourselves to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.