Letting Go of Summer Comparison - Your Nightly Prayer - June 4th

Greg Grandchamp

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Your Nightly Prayer

Letting Go of Summer Comparison
Your Nightly Prayer

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” - Galatians 5:26

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Summertime encourages everyone to get outside. Out of their homes, out of their shells, out of their winter hibernation. Something just seems to happen to us, doesn’t it? We begin to get out and about again in summer’s free and easy manner – longer days, brighter evenings, backyard BBQs, and maybe even a vacation. Then, when scrolling social media, we see people going off on getaways we can only dream of – or families enjoying beautiful beach sunsets together. We hear about everyone else’s summer plans. We see their yards and know they can pay a landscaper or gardener, while we have to get out and take care of business ourselves. Or maybe we try to get into last year’s clothes and, oops – find them a bit tighter.

If you find yourself in this unwanted situation, you are definitely not alone. We all go through the comparison stage at some point about one thing or another. We compare our lives to others’ homes, holidays, lifestyles, or even their physical condition. So why does this comparison seem to grow louder during summer? Well, social media posts seem to accelerate – the sun comes out, and so do the cell phone cameras. We see a great many more “highlight reels” from those who make their lives look perfect. And we begin to ask ourselves, “Why can’t that be me?” Our body image is easier to hide in a bundle of clothing, but warmer weather means less clothing and might just trigger comparison. And then, too, longer days mean more social events and more invitations. But if you’re already feeling down, we can definitely begin to feel left out.

Human desires are a limitless, ever-expanding void. One may have “everything” in the world and still be miserable – unable to easily find peace and joy. When God is the source of our joy, then we are truly content, even if we have “nothing” in the world. Paul taught us in his letter to the Galatians not to let ourselves become prideful – the flip side of the envy coin. The verse encourages humility – and the importance of staying true to ourselves and not provoking or envying others. Of course, as humans, we sometimes can’t seem to avoid our feelings. Yet, envy often leads to irrational behavior. It can lead to confusion, resentment, and anxiety.

Rather than compare, let's work on being genuinely grateful for what we have. For being very content with who and where we are in our lives. With our family and friends, with our own homes, our own lifestyles – and our own faith. When we begin to go down this path of satisfaction, we will find that the dreaded feelings of comparison fall away. They naturally decline in our own contentment. Yes, it might take a bit of work and prayer – but it is deeply satisfying to be okay with your own life. There is no need to compare ourselves to others. God wants us just as we are – ourselves.

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Father,
Thank you for all you do and have done for my family and me. You have always been there for us, and I know you always will be there when troubles come. Please help me set aside comparisons with others and find contentment in my own life. I know you are right here with me and that my happiness ultimately is all in you and your Son, Jesus.
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

Stop scrolling. If your feelings of comparison tend to increase when looking at social media, stop or at least limit the scrolling. You’re really not going to miss anything. Take hold of what is important to you. Your summer – your life – does not have to look like anyone else’s. It is yours to live.
Gratitude in prayer. This doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings, but giving thanks for what you have and for your own joy. Remember, we seldom see the struggles others are going through. But we all know they are there.
Find and read your favorite verses about thanks. Here are a few: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Psalm 107:1; Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 5:20; Psalm 136:1

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Hamza Bounaim

Grandchamp is an author and speaker. His book, “In Pursuit of Truth, A Journey Begins,” is an easy-to-read narrative that offers answers to the most common questions new believers and non-believers have about Jesus Christ (Amazon.) Greg speaks on living out our faith in our daily lives – and on creating true disciples of Christ.
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.

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