The Thief Of Joy
We’ve all done it. Scrolling through social media, we see a friend’s picture-perfect home, a colleague’s fabulous vacation, or a celebrity’s glamorous life, and we can’t help but compare. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” yet we continue to fall into this trap. Why do we subject ourselves to this unnecessary pain?
Recently, I found myself doing just that. I was admiring the beautifully decorated homes on Instagram, filled with charming fireplaces, festive entrance tables, and walls adorned with perfectly curated family photos. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy as I looked around my own home. My fireplace has decorations that rarely change, my entrance table is cluttered with daily life, and my walls remain mostly bare, even though I’ve lived here for three years. Oh, and let’s not forget the Christmas tree that stayed up for three years straight!
But as I sat there comparing, I remembered something my sister once told me: “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.” This quote reminds me that comparison leaves us either feeling inferior and bitter or superior and vain—both of which are traps.
12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
As I’ve been reading about Moses and the Exodus from Egypt, I’m struck by how the Lord used skilled people to construct the sanctuary.
Exodus 36:1 NIV
1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”
Imagine if one of these craftsmen’s wives had thought, “Oh, great, I married a tent maker,” while secretly wishing she had married a priest or prophet instead. Little did she know that her husband’s skills were a divine gift meant for the Lord’s work.
Maybe decorating isn’t my strong suit, and maybe my writing skills aren’t where I want them to be. But perhaps I am exactly who the Lord intended me to be, and so are you.
So, let’s stop comparing ourselves to others. Instead, let’s focus on the unique gifts God has given us. We all have a purpose, and our worth isn’t found in how our lives stack up against others. It’s found in fulfilling the role He designed for us.
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Let’s end with a prayer:
Heavenly Father, help me to resist the urge to compare myself to others and to find contentment in who You have made me to be. May I always find joy in Your presence and peace in knowing that I am exactly who You intended me to be. Amen.
Thank you for this reminder. So true.
Love your wise words. Keep them coming!!
Great post. Sometimes you don’t realize what you need to read or hear until you do.
Thank you for the reminder that God has us just where he wants us to be.
I had to chuckle when I read your post. My Christmas village has also been out 3-4 years. LOL. Social media does make it that much more difficult to not compare.
It’s exhausting to compare ourself to friends, neighbors, or family. So much more rewards to use that energy to love others!
Thank you for this reminder of comparison. I needed it.
Thank you for todays message! Today is my 51st bday & I am finally learning “contentment” in what I have. I feel sorry for young women today & all the unattainable images they see on social media. I pray they realize their own worth.
Even the friends that are my age even fall into the “envy” rabbit hole. You are right we all have talents to share! Thank you for sharing your faith proudly you are a talented writer! Love that you are ending your messages in a prayer!
thank you for the reminder our sermon today was Luke 15 the son who walked away from God to the world and when he came home the Father was glad but his brother was jealous not a good thing we can dream but not be jealous
We all need to remember this. This is a very good reminder.
I have often had feelings of insecurity and that I’m not enough. I have to remind myself that God does create us just the way he wants us to be. You are beautiful and you’re doing so much by sharing God’s love for us as well as a fun diversion with fashion. Thank you for encouraging us all! 💕
Amen! A good reminder for all of us.
Thanks for your post today. A great message indeed. Blessings
We’ve all been there. I hate to think I’ve been envious of what others have that I don’t. I’m very happy with my life and never try to compare to others. Thank you for this beautiful messsge! Thank you so much for the Amazon GC. I am so excited to be this weeks winner. Can’t wait to shop! 💗
This is such a healthy reminder for all of to remember! Thank you for sharing!!
Tania, I loved today’s message. We sometimes forget how blessed we are!
Yes, yes, and yes! Perfectly said, and Thank you for the reminder. It is so easy to fall into that trap.
So enjoy your blog!
Thank s so much for your beautiful thoughts on being contented in Christ.🙏
This is a great message, one I needed especially with today’s social media world. Thank you for sharing and have a blessed week!
Great message!
thank you for this. I needed it today. God bless you!
Thank you for that prayer! It’s just what I needed for today. I stopped Facebook for those reasons.
I really enjoyed today’s post! Thank you!
Outstanding post and advice. I love reading your posts and appreciate the work you do digging up valuable products for us. Thank you
I too have fallen into the trap of comparing what others have against what I have. To be honest it has not been positive, as it would often make me bitter. I know that I have blessed in so many ways, and should focus on what I do have. Thank you for your message today.
This is the perfect message for our social media saturated world. Comparison is a no win situation. Have a blessed week!
THANK YOU for this message Tania! It’s only I really needed. Safe travels home.
So true! Thanks for this. I sometimes feel like the hot mess express, but someone else wishes they had the gifts that I do.
I needed to hear this message, and it never ceases to amaze me how the Lord speaks to us in mysterious ways. Thank you so much for this uplifting message.
This is a great lesson! I always love how real you are❣️
You are a blessing to me.💖
This is so true and a very appropriate message for us all to remember. Thank you for sharing!
Tania, that was such a thoughtful post! I REALLY feel sorry for young people! What they’re feeding themselves is not reality…(I guess some adults do it too) Social Media is all rainbows and kittens…I do admit that’s how I found you, and I am so. Grateful!!! Thank you for your Sunday posts and the reminder of who is in charge 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
I believe you are exactly as God intended; a blessing to myself and others! God uses us in ways we most likely will never see. As you pointed out; it’s scriptural. I believe the key is to allow God to use us as He intended and created us to be.
Today’s blog was so accurate. It is easy to fall down the rabbit hole in comparing our lives to others especially with social media. Your blog spoke to me today. Thank you
Thank you Tania for another inspiring and beautiful way to live
What a beautiful reminder to be thankful for who we are. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. I like how your Sunday posts don’t sound like a sermon (it sounds like you’re having a conversation with us, which I appreciate) and that you now end it with a prayer.
AMEN!!!!
What a great reminder. It is so easy to compare ourselves to others in this digital world.
I always look forward to your Sunday message😍
It is so hard to not compare but, as I have gotten older, it is evident that it is much healthier to accept what the good Lord has allowed me to do. I am so grateful for my life!!
This was an on point message this morning. Thank you, Teresa
Yes I compare too much! I think in our media obsessed world we see others homes and selves more than ever before. I use to dream over magazines. Now it’s Pinterest. I remind myself that is one moment in time when they were making a reel or pictures. I bet we would all be surprised if we walked into those homes a few days later. I have to tell myself no one in this world is perfect. Thank you for todays thoughts and prayer. And thank you for sharing with us your real life.
Wonderful article!! We all need to be reminded to be content. I like looking at photos of homes and I pick one small thing that I like and I do that. it is usually a simple thing that doesn’t require much effort or money. Thank you for your uplifting words.
Good morning!
We can it the “green eyed monster” of envy. Been there. Done that. Will fall into it many many more times over the rest of my long life (God willing)
I pray God blesses each of you with a wonderful day and week ahead.
I find myself envying your beautiful clothes. However, I truly enjoy changing the decorations in my home to match the season. Won’t be long before I pull out pumpkins and apples and change out everything, inside and out. It has taken me 64 years, but I am learning to accept who God made me to be. Have a safe trip back home.
My best friend and neighbor of 26 years past away last year, she was only 61! She used to say “ no one is going to steal my joy!” I miss her every day, but always try to live my live joyfully as she did. Next to her grave, her husband has a bench that says “joy”. Her life was so short but she lived joyfully. ❤️
It is great to hear she had such a great attitude, and left her mark on everyone who knew her.
What a powerful message! I can fall into the same trap, even with people that I love. I have to check myself and look around at all the countless blessings I have. My life is so rich that I need to celebrate it every day. Praise be to God for everything that I have!!!
Well said Tania…. Thanks again for a wonderful Sunday post.
Thank you for the prayer, Tania! Have a blessed day!
Good post. I don’t have social media. I agree with your reader Laurie about how it affects teenagers. Good prayer also.
Oh, we definitely don’t want anything to steal your joy! It’s what makes following your posts so enjoyable!
Contentment is a great gift and we often need to be reminded of how the Creator of the universe made us with the need to find our contentment in Him. Thanks for the reminder today! I’m grateful!
What a helpful post, Tania!. It’s just what I needed today. Discontent with who I am and with my circumstances can creep into my thoughts in such sneaky ways. Your prayer is perfect to get me focused on God instead of what’s around me.
We’ve all been there! This is so good and such a great reminder to love ourselves and be thankful for what we have! Which I am. I’m always telling my grand children this…to be yourself and TRY not to worry about what their friends may have that they do not. It’s hard being a young person today. I do a lot of praying for them. THANK YOU so much for the Amazon GC . I am so excited I won! I’ll be checking out your Amazon updates soon!
Pam, make sure you reply back to my email so I can get the gift card sent to you.
Your post came at a time in my life when I needed it most. I’ve been going through a period of despair and depression and unable to cope. I keep comparing myself to others and falling short. I loved your Bibical reference and the prayer you composed at the end. Thank you, and God Bless
Marilyn, I recently deleted a plugin from my computer because it stressed me out. It was always reminding me that I wasn’t doing as well as I wanted. I’m not worried about what the plugin thinks of me, and I’m giving it over to the Lord since He is what really matters.
Well said! ❤️
Love this lesson today, Tania and the prayer also. Thank you, so much!
A great reminder!
You are so right. “Most” adults know that what they see is only the “outside” of a person’s life, and if they know the other person well they also know everything “isn’t” perfect. That’s why our society’s mental health issues have skyrocketed through the roof, especially in teenagers. They see others’ post, and feel they are inadequate or superior, which both have nothing to do with the person they truly are. I hope we can get something figured out and help those who need it the most. If we stop and say to ourselves: “Is it enough?” “Are we happy?” and if not, figure out why we aren’t and work towards that goal WITHOUT using others’ posts and ideals as our own. THANK YOU for your SUNDAY posts…I always love reading them before Church!
I agree 👍 We also have to remember how people use photo shop and make their skin look flawless when it’s not or write post that are not exactly true. We compare ourselves to others based on information that is not accurate. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by our heavenly Father. Let’s let go and let God handle our lives. As the Bible states let’s be content with such things as we have because He will never leave us or forsake us. We can boldly say the Lord is my helper
Goodness, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t use a filter or some version of a photo editor. No photo ever comes out of the camera without needing a little help.
You are so real and an open book. This is refreshing because I can so relate. Bless you !
I think that this is a great reminder to love ourselves and stop comparing ourselves to others. Thank you for your wise words
Tanya,
I love this post . Your sister hit the nail on the head. You’re right we’ve all done it !
I no longer go on Facebook because it brings you to that unhappy place !
The readings are beautiful . Thank you for your inspiration this morning . God is good ! I love your Sundays post !
Thank you
Erin
Boy, this post says it all! In a world where we have so many ways to measure ourselves against others, comparison truly is the thief of joy! Finding contentment and joy in who we are, what we have, and the lives we lead (without “keeping up with” others) is essential for our well being. Thank you so much for your message today! 🙏
Perfectly said, Jackie.
Love your message today it is so true I needed this let me use what God has given me in his own unique way.
There is nothing as satisfying as finding your joy, peace and contentment in Jesus.
AMEN, Sister! I don’t use social media and one of the main reasons is anyone can publish anything they want and we have no idea if it is reality. It’s like what my mama taught me about graffiti, “fools’ names and fools’ faces often seen in public places”! What’s worse about social media is that what is written cannot be washed off or painted over. It’s out there forever!
Thank you for your musings today. They are very important reminders.
Great message, Sunday blessings to you!
Amen! As an artist, it’s too easy to fall into the comparison game. Jealousy or feeling inferior are common traps when instead we should be encouraging each other. A very good message this morning!
A beautiful and needed message today!
I absolutely loved your posting on don’t compare I do that and reading that made me think ( thank you God for what I have )
I am sharing it with friends.
I also love each days Bible verses
Thank you
Amen! This is so appropriate for this age of social media. Such a good message to get out!
Thank you for the reminder 🩷
This is such a great reminder! Each of us has our own gifts/talents. We should use them for good and thank God for his blessings.
Amen!!! Tania, Amen. My youngest son is small for his age (now grown). In school he always compared himself to others and sometimes still does. I have to remind him to focus on his strengths and I used to tell him “Great things come in small packages”. Enjoy your SONday.
~Lisa~
This was wonderful. Thank you Tania and have a blessed Sunday!
Thank you for this timely message, it grounded me this morning. It reminds me that I am enough, someone will always be thinner or heavier, dress more stylish but I am enough. I should enjoy my life. Have a blessed day.
Great message!!!!!