Key scripture – “Surely God is good to Israel,to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.” (Psalm 73:1-2).

Have you ever compared yourself to someone else and that caused you to feel down and even depressed just like Asaph was feeling when he wrote the 73rd Psalm?

As example of how this can happen is: As you are driving home from work, you tell yourself, “I am glad that the week is over because it has been a rough one.” As you lament over how tired you feel, Satan blindsides you with the thought that your friends, coworkers, and even your family do not really appreciate you. By the time you open the front door of your home, your eyes have narrowed and your forehead has tightened. You are frustrated and ready to give up, and instead of praying and asking God for His perspective, you just keep going over the negative thoughts and feelings in your mind like a broken record. On Saturday morning you get up feeling haunted by the same emotions. By Sunday you force yourself to drive to church, but you don’t feel like singing or praising God.

Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, understands how you feel. He allowed discouragement to grow in his life to the point where he was deeply disturbed because he started envying the arrogant when he saw how prosperous the wicked were.

“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.
They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.
Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.
From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits.
They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.
Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.
Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.” (Psalm 73:3-10).

But instead of staying down and wallowing in his misery, Asaph comes to his senses, and he realizes that when he brings it before God, his negative attitude is gone.

“When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny… When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. (Psalm 73:16-17,21-26,28).

Like Asaph, whenever we take our eyes off of God and His faithfulness, and begin to compare our lives with those around us, we either end up feeling defeated and discouraged or prideful.

The closer you are to God, the less likely the Devil, who is your enemy, will have a shot at your emotions. So instead of comparing yourself to everyone else, stay focused on God and what He has for you. You are His beloved child, and He has an amazing plan for your life.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

Stop and praise God for the plans that He has for you because He is on the move right now in your life. His life altering, window shaking, mind blowing blessings are on the way. His blessings are numerous and varied. God can reverse, restore, revive and renew anything. Be on the lookout for His plans, they are already in motion. Trust Him, He can take any circumstance and use it for your good and His glory.

Today, speak things that God can use and stop comparing yourself to others.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for the plans that you have for me. I know that you are always right here with me. When Satan tries to put the wrong thoughts in my head, I will take those thoughts captive and compare them to Your Word because that is how I can see them for what they are, lies from the pit of hell. I proclaim that, I am a child of the Most High God. I am loved, redeemed and renewed. I am chosen, blameless and holy. I was bought at a great price. You know me thoroughly and yet love me completely. You have plans for my future that include hope, not harm; blessings, not banishment. I belong to You. Help me to grasp the height of your plans for me. I hope, believe and expect something powerful from God to happen in my life. Let this day be blessed. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.