It’s A Trap

God ruled the Israelites Himself through judges who mediated between God and His chosen people, interceded for them and led them in battles. They kinda got tired of this arrangement at some point. They looked at the other nations around them and felt they were lacking something. They believed that if they had a human king like the other nations they would fare much better. So they went to God to ask for a king “… [so] we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:20. It was not as if they were losing battles because they did not have a king. Because their system on government looked different from the others, they felt they were missing out on something.

Comparison can be a trap.

Sometimes it can motivate you and spur you on to do better for yourself but honestly, usually when we fall into the trap of comparison, we focus on what we do not have, or cannot do or be. I call it comparing your insides to someone’s outside. We hardly ever have the full picture of what is going on in the next person’s life. We form an opinion based on what we see or what the person allows us to see or what we think we know.

Comparison can steal your joy, make you lose the ability to love yourself and appreciate you and even lose your ability to love others.

It can lead to envy, covetousness, jealousy and unhappiness. Paul refused to compare himself to other teachers who seemed to have it all together calling those who did so unwise. 1 Cor. 10:12. “The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.” 1 Corinthians 15:41. God created all of us and placed us here each on his or her unique journey. We all have different stories to write with our lives; some will get “there” in the morning, others at night. Some will make it “there” faster, others slower but it is the Lord who orders our steps.

The Israelites soon found out that having Saul as king was not all that. It was not that rosy on the other side after all. King Saul brought them more trouble and they did not become any more happy or prosperous than they were before just because they now had a king. Until you know the whole story do not get caught up in comparing yourself, your life, your marriage, your children, etc to the next person or what he or she has. Trust that God is able to give you what is best for you. Celebrate your now, enjoy what you have as you wait on God to work with you to bring you the the expected end.

Blessings.

Love,
Lady Monica.❤