The Thief of Joy
How many times have we caught ourselves looking at someone else’s life, job, house, clothes, car, or spouse, and thought to ourselves, “What would that be like if that was mine?” Have you ever thought to yourself, “If I could just have that one thing, then I would be happy. If I could just have that, then I would be content.” “I’m only going to swipe this credit card one more time and I’ll put it away.” I have learned over the years, that no matter how many new outfits I buy, how many house projects I complete, how much food I enjoy, nothing will ever leave me fully satisfied. I’m on to the next thing wishing and wanting more.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of Joy.” Now, if you really know me, you know I am not the brightest when it comes to History lessons or just History in itself. However, I can say confidently that President Teddy hit the nail on the head with this quote! Sure, other things can steal our joy too, but comparison is a big one. I mean, have you ever compared yourself to someone else or what they had in a “joyful” way? When you compare yourself to someone, I believe you can come off one of two ways. You can be filled with a sense of pride, or filled with a sense of discouragement.
My spouse probably hears me utter the words, “I wish…..” or “I want….” more than anyone. Not only is he hearing me spout out the things that I wish I had, but so are my kids. They are like little sponges soaking up every word that we say. When my kids get a new toy, they’ll maybe play with it for the first few days and then hardly ever touch it again. They’ll see a a commercial on tv advertising a bigger and better toy that they are left begging for. No amount of toys they get will ever satisfy them and they are left wanting more. Sounds familiar, right?
I feel like in our day and time, comparison is even harder now that we have social media. Not bashing social media because I’m very thankful to have it, but it is such a huge outlet for people to highlight what they have. It’s great for marketing and selling products. It’s great for sharing news and pictures of your kids and families. It’s great for influencers. But it’s also a place that can instantly steal your happiness if you are seeing what you can’t or don’t have. I’m not saying social media is the only place that we can feel this way. Theodore Roosevelt was around way before social media was available and even he can tell you comparison leaves you feeling bummed.
I believe comparison can go hand in hand with envy. Whatever we are comparing such as cars, jobs, houses, kids, physical appearances, clothes, marriages, (the list is different for everyone), it’s revealing a feeling of discontentment of what we do have, and leaving us focused on what we don’t have.
Look at the story of two sisters, Rachel and Leah, found in Genesis 29. They fought over the attention of their shared husband (which is probably a complication in itself.) Rachel had the “looks” which made her so desirable to her husband, but Leah was able to get pregnant and provide babies for her spouse, while Rachel remained barren. The feud between them caused heartache, rivalry, discontentment, and betrayal. (I highly recommend the Bible study by Nicki Koziarz called, “Why Her?” A study on Rachel & Leah.)
When we are discontent or dissatisfied, we are basically telling the Lord, “I am not happy with what You have given me.” We are completely missing out on what the Creator of the Universe has blessed us with. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” I am not saying if you keep your focus on the Lord, that He will give you all the money and clothes you want. I am saying that if you make the Lord your first priority and focus, He will give you a peace, satisfaction, and fulfillment that nothing else will. He knows your wants, but He also knows what you need, and what is best for you. Don’t allow comparison to steal your joy. Run to the only place where true joy is found: Jesus!