Comparison isn’t always a thief of joy

Rachel Allcock suggests jealousy and comparison can be a wake-up call to remind you of your true passions in life.

My confident friend revealed a chink in her armour the other day, and we commiserated with each other over unwholesome pangs of jealousy that had crept up on us both. Our issues were inconsequential - we weren’t coveting our neighbour’s house, ox, donkey or anything else mentioned in the 10th commandment (Exodus 20:17). Our hasty text exchange was concluded when she messaged, ‘Run in your lane, no point looking at others.’ 

The phrase ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ came to mind, and I felt convicted. This is one of those wise sayings likely to turn up on the ‘From Proverbs or Not?’ round of a church quiz, and in this case, the correct answer is ‘not’ – it’s attributed to Theodore Roosevelt.