Do not let your heart envy sinners,
but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18 There is surely a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off. - Proverbs 23:17-18
Dear Heavenly Father,
Comparing my life with others brings no peace. That horizontal pursuit leads to a dead end filled with negative emotions. Your word tells me to lead my heart to look vertically up to you and to be zealous for my child/parent relationship with you. The fear you call for is typified by love and respect. You promise me that you have my future mapped out for me. It's all about you and me and no one else. I long for the freedom you promise that comes from my refusing to compare my life with others. Help me to want what I have from you instead of pursuing what I want when I compare myself to others. That's the secret to contentment. I can only come close to it if you help me by your Holy Spirit to lead my heart instead of follow it. So, help me Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit to accept my life with you just as your Son did when he laid it all down to save me.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Contentment is wanting what you have from God instead of getting what you want after comparing your life with others.
Additional Reading: John 21, Philippians 4