Comparison, the Zapper of Happiness

Have you ever seen one of those electric bug zappers? They look like lanterns and glow a lovely blue color. The zapper seems like a friendly spot to land to the unsuspecting bug, whether that is a mosquito, gnat, or a fly. The bug notices the glowing light and suddenly nothing matters other than reaching that glowing lantern, for it must be a great place. Only it’s not… The bug flies into the glowing structure only to be electrocuted. I know, not the fairy tale ending you were expecting.  Some of you are about to jump out of your chair, yes, one less mosquito to try and bite me! Others of you might want to stop reading, but please continue on, it gets better! How often in life do we, like the bug, get drawn to some shiny thing or think the “grass is greener on the other side”?  Hopefully we won’t end up electrocuted, that is a horrid thought, but we still end up hurting ourselves when we compare who we are with others.

There are times I wish I could be like the writer that has eight hours a day to devote to writing. I  hear how many words they are typing per day or the number of books they are putting out in a year. I feel like a fake, only writing when I can and not pushing myself harder. Then I remember that I am doing what I can and that God and family come before writing. I am not that other person, I am me and I am doing what God has asked of me, not them.

It can be easy for us to compare ourselves to others when it seems they have everything together and we feel like a hot mess. Comparison zaps our energy and steals our joy.  My prayer for you today, as well as myself, is that we would stop comparing ourselves to others and be who God has called us to be. Rest, knowing that you are a masterpiece, and your Creator does not make junk. You might have a similar talent to the person standing next to you, but we each have different amounts of time, energy, family, and other factors in life.

So the next time you find yourself comparing your life with someone else, remember the bug flying toward the glowing blue lantern. Comparison is not worth the burn.