I recently heard a commentator say, “Back in my day, you would open the newspaper and read about the terrible things that were happening around the world or the horrible thing that happened to someone, and you’d say, ‘Man, I’m glad I’m not that guy.’ But today, it’s the opposite. You open Facebook and Instagram and all you see are people posting their best life. Few people show themselves weeping or unable to pay a bill or sitting on the couch feeling lonely.” 

As I took a moment to think about his words, I realized I couldn’t agree more with his assessment. The world has become increasingly prideful and vain, and people are more than willing to show off their best life. Unfortunately, social media is a very convenient way to do this. By creating a “perfect” reality, there’s a temptation to fool others into believing that we’re somehow better off than the guy next store. Sadly, we ingest these false projections and quickly fall into the trap of comparing ourself to others. 

Friend, allow me to quote Mark Twain in saying that “Comparison is the death of joy,” and remind you that as a human being, you will always compare up, never down. However, if you want to embrace the season you’re in, you must surrender the temptation to equate your circumstances with those of people you know nothing about! Sometimes God calls you to be in the valley or in the fire, and that’s okay. Everyone endures seasons of suffering, and the key to navigating yours well is to not covet the circumstances of another. Stay in your lane, embrace your reality, and allow Jesus to give you the grace to get through each day.