Finding Contentment in Comparison

When you look at the people around you; the families, co-workers, kids, neighbors, do you find yourself comparing your life to theirs? Do you look at what their kids are doing; sports, grades, achievements...and wonder why your kids aren't? Do you see your neighbors; their house, their cars, their toys, their careers...and wish you had what they had?

Let's be honest, it's all around us; the stuff that draws our eyes, and our hearts to wanting what someone else has. We look and see, and before we can even think about it, our minds and our hearts are comparing what they have and what we don't have. I mean, we (Amy and I) do it; just about every day. No matter where we have lived or where we have visited, we always find ourselves comparing us to them.

This week, FamilyLife Today, ran the following program, featuring the guys from FamilyLife Today and their guest, Kay Wills Wyma, called, I'm Happy for You, Not Really. The two day program tackled the topic of comparison; from us as parents/adults straight down to our kids/children and teens.

For us in the Higham house, we are seeing these issues of comparison, envy, want, materialism, and competion among our kids and even in us! We currently live in a community that lives fairly comfortable. Nice homes. Nice cars. Busy and active kids. Professional careers. It is so hard to drive through any given neighborhood and NOT find ourselves wondering what life looks like in the houses you pass.

I found this program with Kay Wills Wyma, to be incredibly helpful, and quite frankly, a little convicting. As a parent, not only am I responsible for how my kids are taught to deal with the issues of comparison, I have to think about how I respond to the pressures of comparison!

I want to encourage you to listen to the two part program with Kay Wills Wymer. Whether you have kids or not, I think you will find the message to be incredibly helpful!

The link here: I'm Happy for You, Not Really, will take you to day one of the program where you can listen to the broadcast directly from the site. From there you can follow up and listen to day two.

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I hope this serves as a great reminder of how and who God has created you. You live for His glory, not for the approval of men. So why should we compare ourselves to anyone else?

Kay Wills Wyma has written 2 books, one that addresses the topic of this post and the program you just listened to. You can pick up a copy of both books by clicking on the links below.

Thanks for reading! If you found this post to be helpful and encouraging, please be sure to like this post and share it with your friends. And consider sharing in the conversation with a comment below!

- the higham family

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Jay & Amy have been married for 19 years and are busy raising 5 kids; 4 boys and 1 girl. They juggle the adventures of life and ministry, as they relate to marriage, family, raising kids, serving as pastors, and chasing Jesus.