Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Galatians 6:1-18. And besides the hilarious verse where Paul says, "If you think you're too important to help someone, think again. You're not that important," we also get some good advice about comparing ourselves to others.
Paul tells us to pay attention to our own work, and not to compare what we are doing to everyone else. The reason, he says, is that we are each responsible for our own conduct. But there's another reason to follow this advice.
One of the reasons why we need to be careful when we're on social media is that it's easy to fall into comparing our lives with other people. And the problem is, we're not comparing apples to apples. Because what we share on social media like Facebook is the good stuff. We share the fun trips and the fun moments and the fun people in our lives. We seldom share the times when we struggle or when we're depressed or when things fall apart. So when I look at my friend John's life, I think "Why can't my life be fun and great like his?" And I compare my weakness to his strength, which leaves me feeling miserable.
Instead, we should focus on what God is calling US to do. Keep our mind on the tasks ahead of us. Try to live in the moment. Enjoy the love and grace that God gives us for THIS moment, rather than regretting the past or fearing the future. Psychologists tell us that comparing our lives to others, and living in the past or future instead of the present, are all the most common ways to be miserable.
But living in the moment, and focusing on our own lives, brings us joy. Helping others brings us even more joy. Let's try that, and try to stop comparing our lives to others.
God, thank You for teaching us how to be happy. Please help us follow Your advice.
No comments:
Post a Comment