Trust God and Avoid the Trap of Comparison  - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - March 26, 2026

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2, NKJV).

It doesn't take long to realize that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, and any other social media platform are a huge door to comparison. Your eyes begin to get fixated on earthly things instead of things of the Kingdom and God's plan for your life. This often negatively impacts your decision-making. Regarding material things, you are now spending money you don't have, not just trying to "keep up with the Joneses," but with everyone else in the entire world! People's lives are constantly on display, and it is a great temptation for us to become dissatisfied and unthankful for what God has given us. We become unhappy. Not only that, but we also aren't happy for one another. "Everyone is getting married, having babies, getting an education, buying a house, getting a raise, a new job, a new car, pursuing their dreams, making connections to further their job/ministry, traveling, wearing the latest fashions, making more money, going on vacation, losing weight, AND WHY NOT ME?!" we think to ourselves. This type of mentality makes us question God's goodness, leading us to wonder whether He is withholding things from us. 

We might know in our heads that God is good, but is it rooted in our hearts and applied to our lives? The struggle happens when we fix our eyes on ourselves, and then it becomes worse when we put our eyes on others and begin to compare or judge unrighteously. We begin believing lies and drawing conclusions about others, consumed with jealousy. James calls this thinking worldly and even demonic (James 3:15).

When our fixation is on the temporal, as believers, Paul tells us in Colossians that we need to look up:

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2, NKJV).

Paul urges us to "put to death [our] members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walk when you lived in them" (Colossians 3:5-7, NKJV).

Did you catch that in verse 5? Covetousness is idolatry. When you covet, compare, and live in jealousy and envy over something that someone else is experiencing, you are worshiping what you don't have. Whether that is material things, a person, or a situation, that thing, situation, person, or position is now placed above God and God's plan for your life. You have made that thing, situation, person, or position an idol in your life. You become self-centered and overly concerned with your life; you have put on "self glasses."

"Self-glasses" distort your vision and heart posture towards God and others. Practically, this means that God isn't enough for you. These glasses also foster a victim mentality, leading you to compare and complain, which breeds discontent. Before long, you will doubt God and begin to take control of your own life. Lifting our gaze upwards, as Colossians 3 tells us, shifts our perspective, and we begin to see how God is fully enough. This perspective shift helps us believe the truth about God's sovereignty, about others, and about ourselves. Where have your eyes wandered that may be causing you to grow ungrateful and discontent, or even jealous? Ask the Lord to help you fix your eyes on eternal matters. Keep your eyes on Jesus and His Word. Cling to Him, abide in Him, and you will remain full of His love, and nothing else can satisfy you. You won't want anything other than what He has for you. His promises for you will be more than enough. You will begin to trust God with all your heart and lean on His understanding, not your own. When we do that, He will direct our paths, and He will never lead us astray.

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Emily Massey began writing short stories and poetry as a little girl, entered the blogging world in her early 20s, and published her first book in 2015. She enjoys being a homeschooling momma of four boys, while still being able to pursue her passion as a writer. Believing she has been forgiven much, she loves much, and desires to point others to Christ and His redemptive and transforming power, especially by sharing truth found in God’s written word. If you would like to connect with Emily, you can visit www.emilyrosemassey.com.

Related Resource: I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life | Midweek Prayer (John 14:1–6)

When our hearts feel troubled, Jesus invites us to trust Him again.

This short midweek prayer creates space to pause, breathe deeply, and return to Jesus’s words in John 14:1–6, where He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In this guided prayer, we acknowledge the places where worry, uncertainty, or longing have unsettled our hearts and bring them honestly before God.

Jesus reminds us that we are not alone—that He is with us, that He is preparing a place for us, and that He will return for us. As we pray, we ask for help to trust Him more deeply and to follow Him in the way He has already made clear: to love God fully and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Take a few quiet minutes to slow down, listen for God’s invitation, and rest in the presence of the One who leads us in truth and life. If you like what you hear, follow So Much More on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!