When does a woman become an adult?  Perhaps it’s when she stops comparing her life to other women’s.

Linda Dillow, Calm My Anxious Heart:  A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment

 

The comparison trap.

Ever find yourself locked tight in it’s strong jaws?  Honestly, haven’t we all been there at least a time or two?

The journey toward contentment in my life has been a struggle.   I’ve learned the necessity of counting – numbering each gift, each blessing, each moment and recognizing that all is gift.

The journey has revealed much about my heart, my longings, my desires … and, sadly, much of what has filtered through is dark and ugly.  Not the ugly beautiful … the just plain ugly.

Selfish.

Prideful.

Brash.

Unkind.

Envious.

Jealous.

Covetous.

It seems contentment isn’t just about adding the practice of counting my gifts; contentment requires that I subtract comparing

That, in the words of Chicago, is “a hard habit to break.”

I’m finding that these two work hand-in-hand.  As I practice counting the blessings God has generously bestowed, purposefully numbering the gifts in my life, I find there is less time for comparing.  The grace of listing what I have pushes out the gravitation toward longing for what I have not.

The words of Paul ring in my head and encourage me always to keep pressing on, keep persevering, keep getting back up … contentment is possible … but only one way:

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content ​— ​whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.  I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. {Philippians 4:11-13, CSB}

Through Christ.

The only way to true contentment.   Counting points me to Him … comparing moves me away.   But it’s Him.  All Him.  Always Him.  Only Him.

What lessons are you learning lately?